Carlo Innocenzo Carlone

With Heim Gallery, London, 1971;
Anonymous sale, London, Sotheby's, 7 December 1988, lot 36, for £17,600.

London, Heim Gallery, Faces and Figures of the Baroque, 1971, no. 31;
Salzburg Barockmuseum Carlo Innocenzo Carlone Olskizzen, 1986, no. 2.

W. Hansmann, "Eine rheinische Carlone-Sammlung in Wallraf-Richartz Jahrbuch", vol. xxxvii, 1975, pp. 187-188, reproduced, plate 1.

The picture has an old relining. Overall the painting presents a strong image and is in generally good condition. Under UV, some scattered retouches are visible, but none which are applied to repair any major damages or losses. These scattered retouches are visible in the arm of the top most figure, as well in certain parts of the sky, mostly around certain areas of craquelure. There also appears to be slight reinforcement in certain parts of the darkest, off black hues. The picture is slightly dirty, possibly from an older varnish which could be possibly removed and re-varnished. The painting is presentable in its current state of preservation, but could possibly benefit from a light cleaning. In a carved 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.
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 is a preliminary sketch for the fresco in the central stairwell in the Daun-Kinsky Palace in Vienna designed by Johann Lucas von Hildebrandt for Fieldmarshal von Daun in 1715.¹ The fresco, which differs from the present sketch in important ways, was executed by Carlone in collaboration with the Bolognese painter Marcantonio Chiarini in the following year. Chiarini was responsible for the architectural framework whilst Carlone executed the figural scheme. The sketch is of particular interest in two respects. Not only is it the earliest known bozzetto by Carlone, but it also indicated that Carlone's was the directing hand in the commission. Philp Lorenz Graf Daun had been Viceroy in Naples where he had acquired a taste for Italian painting. Carlone, who had already collaborated with Hildenbrandt at the Belvedere at Vienna, would thus have been an obvious choice for the Viceregal Palace. The subject, The Apotheosis of a Hero, would have been particularly appropriate for a military patron.

1. see A. Barigozzi Brini and K. Garas, Carlo Innocenzo Carlone, Milan 1967, pp. 30-31, fig. 2.