Giovanni Antonio Pellegrini

King Friedrich III of Prussia, later German Emperor (1831-1888);

By descent to his daughter Princess Viktoria von Preussen (1866- 1929);

Thence by descent.

Berlin, Kaiser Friedrich Palais, no. 38 (according to an old label on the stretcher)

The picture is Iess pink and there are is greater contrast and definition. The canvas has an old lining. The picture is in good overall condition with no apparent damage or loss of paint apart from an old minor loss centre left and some very minor flecks of paint loss and stabilised flaking in the cargo being unloaded from the ship lower right. There is surface dirt and a varnish overall. Examination under ultraviolet reveals old scattered minor retouching in the sky and some more recent areas of strengthening to the contours of the figures but otherwise there appears to be little intervention. Overall the picture is in good country house condition. Offered in a gilt wood and palster frame with losses to the gilding.
"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 intriguing modello appears to depict the apotheosis of a marine commander. Perhaps intended as part of a wall or ceiling decoration, it is similar in conception to a work entitled La Pigrizia, la Vigilanza e l'Utilità, which was a modello for a decorative scheme for the Royal Bank in Paris.¹ There is a seal affixed to the back of the frame bearing a sovereign crown above a V which was the signet of Victoria, Princess Royal of Great Britain, Empress of Germany and Queen of Prussia (1840- 1901), who married King Friedrich III of Prussia in 1858. The same sovereign crown and the inventory number 95 are painted onto the reverse of the canvas relining.

We are grateful to Professor Lino Moretti for endorsing the attribution on the basis of photographs.

1. A. Bettagno, Antonio Pellegrini, Il masetro veneto del Rococo alle corti d'Europa, Venice 1998, exhibition catalogue, p. 164, cat. no. 30, reproduced p. 165, fig. 30.