L12040

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Lot 126
  • 126

Lieven Cruyl

Estimate
12,000 - 18,000 GBP
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Description

  • Lieven Cruyl
  • a view of the grand canal and the rialto bridge, venice, with many small boats in the foreground

  • Pen and brown and black ink and grey wash, over traces of black chalk, within black ink framing lines, on vellum, laid down on panel;
    signed lower left in brown ink: LIVINUS CRUYL and bears inscription in black ink on the vellum folded over the back of the panel: Prospectus Celeberrimi Pontis Ripae altae Venetiis./ Vulgo Ponte Rialto

     

Literature

C. Eisler, 'Power to Europe's Chosen Peoples...,' Artibus et Historiae, 1988, no. 17 (ix), p. 35, reproduced fig. 3;
B. Jatta, Lievin Cruyl e la sua opera grafica: un artista fiammingo nell'Italia del Seicento, Brussels and Rome 1992, pp. 136-137, no. 87, reproduced fig. 123 (incorrectly as fig. 124); p. 25, note 18; p. 68; p. 139;
D. Acton, Master Drawings from the Worcester Art Museum, exhib. cat., Worcester, Art Museum, et al., 1998-99, p. 74; p. 221, no. 29, note 7

 

Condition

The vellum has been stretched over a wood panel and the edges stuck to its back. There is a semi circular, very light, brown stain at the centre of the composition. There is some wear at the bottom left corner, but overall the ink is strong . Sold in a simple gilded 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."

Catalogue Note

Born in Ghent, Cruyl travelled to Italy in the 1660s and '70s.  His intricate topographical drawings, of which this is a characteristic example, are fascinating and often very important.  Several Venetian views survive, including one of the Piazza San Marco which is dated 1676.1 Two other views of the Rialto are known: one very similar to the present, but with different boats in the foreground,2 and the other taken from the other side of the bridge.3

1. B. Jatta, op. cit., p. 138, no. 91
2. Sale, New York, Sotheby's, 23 January 2001, lot 85
3. B. Jatta, op. cit., p. 143, no. 103, reproduced fig. 124 (sold, New York, Sotheby's, 14 January 1987, lot 13, with a View of the Piazza San Marco)