Giuseppe Bernardino Bison

With Antichità Caiati Sas, Milan, 1998, where acquired by the present owner.

Udine, Giuseppe Bernardino Bison: pittore e disegnatore, 24 Oct. 1997 - 15 Feb. 1998, no. 22

G. Bergamini, F. Magani, G. Pavanello, Giuseppe Bernardino Bison: pittore e disegnatore, exhibition catalogue, Milan 1997, p. 137, cat. no. 22;
F. Magani, Giuseppe Bernardino Bison, Antichità Caiati Sas, Milan 1998, pp. 50-51;
F. Mazzocca, F. Della Peruta, C. G. Laicata, I volti di Carlo Cattaneo 1801-1869. Un grande italiano del Risorgmento, Milan 2001;
A. Mangiarotti, 'Occhi di veggente sulla Lombardia' in Il Giorno, 19 April 2001;
M. Ballarini et al., Storia dell'Ambrosiana- L'Ottocento, Milan 2001, p. 5.

The canvas has been sympathetically relined. The paint surface is clean and secure, and the detail of the work is well-preserved. An old, restored L-shaped tear of approximately 5 cm. is visible just to the right of the top of the arch. No other damages are discernible to the naked eye. Inspection under UV light confirms the aforementioned retouchings, and further reveals a ring of retouching, approximately 3.5 cm in diameter, just above the dogs in the lower left hand corner, and another patch of retouching in the sky to the right of the right hand building. Otherwise, UV light reveals just a handful of scattered spot retouchings to the work. Offered in a gilt wood and plaster frame 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."

The centrepiece of this topographical composition, Milan's Arch of Peace, was originally intended as a celebration of Napoleonic victories, and its construction began in 1806. However, it was not completed until 1838, by which time it had become a dedication to the European Peace reached in 1815. The painting has been dated to between 1838 and 1840 (see Magani, 1998) and the parade of Austrian soldiers Bison pictures indicate the Austrian dominion over Milan at this time.

We are grateful to Prof. Fabrizio Magani for endorsing the attribution on the basis of photographs.