Sebastiano Lazzari

Paintings appear to be unlined. The composition with the guitar is in lovely condition. No major retouching is present although the thick varnish slightly detracts from the condition. There is a small area of rubbing and thinness visible along the painted frame depicted in the composition. The second canvas, with stacked fruit in the foreground is also in very good and fresh condition. Some minor losses to paint in corner of canvas are present. U.V. light shows a small area of retouching on bottom of canvas. Both paintings are in carved and gilt wood frames with significant losses to the wood.
In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective qualified opinion.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING CONDITION OF A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD "AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF SALE PRINTED IN THE CATALOGUE.

This pair of trompe l'oeil still lifes appears to be amongst the earliest works of Sebastiano Lazzari, an artist recorded as active in Verona in the second half of the 18^th century. He specialized in particular in the present kind of work, still lifes set against highly detailed spruce pine planks, otherwise known as 'finto asse'. Placed against the planks are various objects often seen in Lazzari's compositions: ocular devices, mathematical and astronomical sketches, musical instruments, as well as other more traditional objects such as fruit and vegetables. In the present pair, the picture with the stacked fruit also contains a thin piece of wood, possibly a ruler, bearing the initials B.L. Given the tendency in the 18^th century for Italian men to shorten their name to 'Bastiano', it is probable that this clear and prominently positioned monogram is in fact Lazzari's, confirming the attribution to the artist. Additionally, in that same picture, a letter drapes over the table, reading, "A sua Eccellenza. Il sig.^v Demetrio Strattico. Sarg.^te Gente di Battaglia Govern.^v dell' Armi di Ver[ona]. The individual referenced in this note, Demetrio Strattico was in fact an army officer living in Verona during Lazzari's lifetime, suggesting that the present pair was either commissioned, or more probably painted as a gift by Lazzari for a high ranking officer in the artist's hometown.

Lazzari's highly personalized approach to trompe l'oeil painting proved successful in the Veneto region, as demonstrated by the activities of his followers and imitators Francesco Bossi, Giovanni Battista Bertoldi and the artist known only by the monogram GF (a comparable picture by this follower of Lazzari can be seen, F.Zeri, La Natura Morta in Italia, Milan 1989, p. 381, cat.no. 453).