Giovanni Domenico Tiepolo

Mr. and Mrs. Louis Cartier,
thence by descent to Claude Cartier,
his sale, Monaco, Sotheby's, 26 November 1979, lot 506, reproduced;
sale, New York, Sotheby's, 10 January 1996, lot 148, reproduced

Drawing is attached at three corners to an early 20th Century mount. Very slight discolouration from glue at the top margin. Upper left corner is missing. Slight scattered foxing, a tiny blue stain on the right hand corner near the signature visible in catalogue image. Some greyish staining to the left, by and below the basket. Overall in quite good condition. At the left margin where the cloth is hanging there are two tiny lines in pen and brown ink visible also in the image in the catalogue. The overall colour of the drawing is more grey than the illustrated image. Pen and ink and wash rather 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."

Giandomenico made many drawings of centaurs and satyrs and their families, and often depicted the story of Nessus and Dejanira.  James Byam Shaw believed that these drawings were executed as independent works of art datable between 1761 and 1791.  Jean Cailleux suggested a slightly earlier date around 1755.¹  He believed that the representations of Nessus and Dejanira might be among the earliest of Giandomenico's centaur drawings, but he stressed the difficulty of establishing a chronological sequence in the series as he rightly felt that any parallel which can be found with painted versions of the subject cannot be conclusive.  See also lots 110 and 116.

1. See Jean Cailleux, 'Centaurs, Fauns, Female Fauns and Satyrs among the drawings of Domenico Tiepolo', The Burlington Magazine, vol. cxvi, no. 855 (June 1974), An Advertisement Supplement