- 160
John Martin
Estimate
8,000 - 12,000 GBP
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Description
- John Martin
- The Ruins of Trionto
- Watercolour over pencil, heightened with bodycolour, stopping out and scratching out;
signed and dated lower left: J. Martin April 25 / 1841 - 240 by 335 mm
Provenance
Mrs B.D. Bunnett;
her sale, London, Christie’s, 20 April 1972, lot 137, bt. The Manning Gallery
with The Manning Gallery;
sale, London, Christie's, 11 July 1989, lot 164
her sale, London, Christie’s, 20 April 1972, lot 137, bt. The Manning Gallery
with The Manning Gallery;
sale, London, Christie's, 11 July 1989, lot 164
Condition
Although the over composition is bold, some of the most delicate pigments have faded somewhat. The work has not been laid down.
For further information on this lot please contact Mark Griffith-Jones on 0207 293 5083 or mark.griffithjones@sothebys.com.
"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."
"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
The present work seems directly associated with another watercolour by John Martin, also entitled The Ruins of Trionto, which was published in 1830 in the form of a line engraving by W.R. Smith. The engraving accompanied a short story called The Count of Trionto. A tale of the Abrozzos.
It appears likely that the present watercolour is a later revisiting of the subject, aimed at introducing a greater sense urgency into the composition which may have been a little too sedate for Martin’s liking in its earlier form. Here, the figures flee from the scene, as the oak beside them is blasted by lightning; whereas, in the earlier design, the figures and lightning were more central to a rather more restrained and harmonious composition.
The motif of substantial oak trees ‘blasted’ by lightning recurs throughout John Martin’s works and he is known to have made a substantial watercolour entitled The Blasted Oak, in Wimbledon Park.
We are very grateful to Michael Campbell for his help in cataloguing this work.
It appears likely that the present watercolour is a later revisiting of the subject, aimed at introducing a greater sense urgency into the composition which may have been a little too sedate for Martin’s liking in its earlier form. Here, the figures flee from the scene, as the oak beside them is blasted by lightning; whereas, in the earlier design, the figures and lightning were more central to a rather more restrained and harmonious composition.
The motif of substantial oak trees ‘blasted’ by lightning recurs throughout John Martin’s works and he is known to have made a substantial watercolour entitled The Blasted Oak, in Wimbledon Park.
We are very grateful to Michael Campbell for his help in cataloguing this work.