- 15
Pietro Testa
Estimate
3,000 - 5,000 GBP
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Description
- Pietro Testa
- sketches of putti flying above a landscape
- Pen and brown ink and traces of black chalk;
bears old attributions, recto and verso: Pietro Testa; the verso also bears inscription and numbering: B, No.28, (Lucchesino)
Provenance
Henry Hamal (L.1231),
his sale, Paris, Regnault, 20-23 January 1805, part of lots 28 or 29;
Alfred Finot, Troyes, his mark AF in circle (not in Lugt)
his sale, Paris, Regnault, 20-23 January 1805, part of lots 28 or 29;
Alfred Finot, Troyes, his mark AF in circle (not in Lugt)
Condition
Framed. Laid down on old mount. The sheet is more lively than appears in the catalogue illustration- the ink warmer. The ink has sunk in a few places. There are some small holes in the upper left corner, made up, and also a loss above the uppermost putto, where the ink has sunk. The brown ink stains appear to have been made by the artist smudging the wet ink, rather than later damage. A small light brown curved line in the upper right, which is possibly a repaired tear. Otherwise the sheet is in good condition.
"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. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."
"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. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."
Catalogue Note
The traditional attribution to Testa is convincing. His compositions are filled with groups of putti, soaring in the sky or playing near other figures. This study seems particularly close to the drawings for several of Testa's most important prints of the mid 1630s, The Garden of Charity, The Garden of Venus, and Venus and Adonis as well as a Study of Narcissus at the Pool.1
1. See E. Cropper, Pietro Testa, exhib. cat., Philadelphia, Museum of Art et al., 1988-89, pp. 19-36 and pp. 40-41, cat. no. 20