Gaspar van Wittel, called Vanvitelli

This is a beautiful picture. In reality, it is slightly less red in tone than the catalogue reproduction suggests. It has an old relining. The canvas has a slight concave warp but this is only detectable to touch and does not disturb the viewer's enjoyment of the painting visually. The paint is in remarkably good condition. The expressive colours have not faded and remain very effective, a warm Mediterranean light casts a mood of gentleness and ease on the activity in the foreground, contrasting with the storm clouds gathering over the distant hills. There are a few horizontal lines of thin craquelure visible in the sky, the most advanced of these forms an arc beginning on the left, just visible in the catalogue reproduction. Some minor flaking is beginning in two areas: a small patch measuring 1 cm along the right edge by the frame, and a larger area across the greenery of the the left river bank. One very small flake has been lost here, but the remaining area is still intact and can easily be stabilized. Most spectacular are the tiny paint strokes which are all stunningly preserved, detailing the minute figures' hats, costumes, the detail of the roof tiles and the gently billowing leaves of the willow trees. Inspection under UV shows a mold milky varnish and some very tiny filling on of the craquleure in the centre of the canvas. This lot is sold in a gilded frame with decorative moldings of leaves and berries. It is in good state except for the corner joints, which require tightening.
"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 charming view of Tivoli by Vanvitelli is an autograph variant of the work formerly in the Rospigliosi collection in Rome and now owned by the Banca Popolare di Novara.¹ The Novara version, which is also oval, is paired with an oval View of Tivoli with the Waterfall which has the same provenance and is dated 1691. It is reasonable to assume the present work was also painted that year.

Vanvitelli painted this view on a few other occasions, including a large canvas in the Accademia di San Luca in Rome (inv. no. 313, 50 by 102 cm.); a signed small copper in a private collection (35 by 45 cm.); a canvas sold London, Christies, 13 December 1996, lot 90.

The view is taken from the left bank of the river Aniene, along the road which leads from the centre of Tivoli to the ponte San Martino, and then out of the town towards the via Valeria. In the centre of the painting the lip of the waterfall can be made out, beyond which is an arch of the bridge and the Temple of Vesta with the bell tower of the church of San Giorgio which was built within the walls of the Roman temple. At the far right we see the Porta Sant'Angelo.

A drawing of the central section of the view is in the Kunsthalle in Hamburg (inv. no. 22839).²


1. G. Briganti, Gaspar van Wittel, Milan 1996, p. 228, cat. no. 264, reproduced.
2. Idem, p. 302, cat. no. D1, reproduced.