Pietro Longhi

Giovannelli collection, Venice;
Private collection, Milan, since at least 1970.

E. Arslan, "Di Alessandro e Pietro Longhi", in Emporium, July 1943, vol. 8, p. 62, note 13;
V. Moschini, Pietro Longhi, Milan 1956, p. 40;
F. Valcanover, under "Pietro Longhi", in Enciclopedia Universale dell'Arte, Venice-Rome 1958, VIII, p. 686, incorrectly listed as in the Museum of Art, Rhode Island School of Design, Providence, R.I., USA;
T. Pignatti, Pietro Longhi, Venice 1968, p. 96, reproduced fig. 284, repeating the incorrect Rhode Island provenance;
T. Pignatti, Pietro Longhi, L'opera completa, Milan 1974, p. 103, cat. no. 215, reproduced p. 102, fig. 215, correctly amending the provenance and listing the Milanese whereabouts.

The canvas has an old relining which is a little loose but still effective. It has not flattened the paint surface which appears dirty but in good condition. Minor discoloured retouchings can be made out, for example in some of the figures' faces and scattered in the background. No major damages can be made, as confirmed by inspection under UV light. Would benefit from a surface clean. Offered in a later reproduction frame with some minor losses.
"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."

Possibly more than that of any of his contemporaries, Pietro Longhi's career was fundamental in the development of Venetian genre painting in the eighteenth century. This intimate interior scene is typical of the artist's work in the 1770s, and was described by Pignatti (see Literature) as one of his finest works of that decade. His characteristic interest in textures is seen here in the beautiful damask background which was only revealed after cleaning and cannot be seen in the reproduction in Pignatti's catalogue raisonné from 1968.