Giovanni Domenico Tiepolo

Sale, New York, Christie's, 9 January 1991, lot 25

Unframed. Hinged at top to 19th Century French backing sheet. There are three small repaired tears, at the right of the lower edge, the centre left and the right of the upper edge. A loss to the lower left corner, made up. There is a little surface dirt at the upper right corner, but overall the condition is fine and the medium still strong.
"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."

The theme of centaurs and nymphs, derived from the story of the abduction of the nymph Dejanira by the centaur and demi-god Nessus, was among Giandomenico's favourite subjects and the basis for an important series of drawings.  The present sheet is one of a small group that Jean Cailleux distinguishes from the rest of the series due to their larger format.  He writes of their spontaneity and 'breadth of execution...which distinguish them from all the others, which are more precise, more linear in the use of the pen'.¹  Other examples are in the Hermitage, Saint Petersburg, the University Art Museum, Princeton, the Musée Fabre, Montpellier and in the Robert Lehman Collection at the Metropolitan Museum, New York.  Cailleux proposes that the group are the earliest of the Nessus and Dejanira drawings made by Giandomenico, and dates them circa 1755, after the artist's return from Würzburg.²

1. J. Cailleux, 'Centaurs, fauns, female fauns and satyrs among the drawings of Domenico Tiepolo', in The Burlington Magazine, CXVI, June 1974, p. iv
2. Ibid.