Jan Frans van Bloemen, called l'Orizzonte

Stephen Nicholas de Yarburgh-Bateson (1903-1964), 5th Baron Deramore, who lent the picture to Ampleforth; at the death of Lord Deramore the painting was acquired by the Abbey.

The overall condtion of the work is good. The canvas has been laid down on board but the paint surface remains well preserved. There is a restored damage in the foliage centre left (circa 8 x 5 cm). There are some small discoloured retouchings in the sky and inspection under ultra-violet light reveals only a few minor retouchings to the landscape and staffage. Sold with an English carved and gilt wood frame
"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."

This beautiful scene of the Roman campagna includes an imagined view of the city of Rome in the distance.  The Coliseum is clearly visible, as is the pyramid of Cestia. The view is however not topographically accurate but rather manipulated for compositional effect. Although Andrea Busiri Vici has argued that the main protagonists of Van Bloemen's landscapes are the natural elements, this is perhaps not the case here. The landscape and naturalistic details have been beautifully rendered but it is the classical ruins in the foreground, the aforementioned Roman landmarks and the classically inspired figures that define the composition.  The same architectural components form the background of both the signed Landscape with a Fountain, formerly with David Koetser, Zurich, and the work sold in these Rooms, 24 June 1964, lot 108 (see A. Busiri Vici, Jan Frans Van Bloemen. Orizzonte e l'origine del paesaggio romano settecentesco, Rome 1974, nos. 243 and 267, both reproduced).

Van Bloemen was rightly considered a great artist by his contemporaries and much patronised by collectors including members of the Doria, Pallavicini, Rospigliosi and Corsini families in Rome as well as many of the English Grand Tourists.