Lot 52
  • 52

Niccolò Tornioli

Estimate
30,000 - 50,000 GBP
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Description

  • Niccolò Tornioli
  • The Holy Family
  • oil on canvas
  • 152 x 96 cm

Provenance

Anonymous sale, Milan, Finarte, 13 May 1993, lot 144.

Literature

M. Ciampolini, Pittori Senesi del Seicento, vol. III, Siena 2010, p. 889, reproduced fig. 461.

Condition

The canvas has been lined, the paint surface is quite dirty, and the varnish is discoloured. The painting is in overall good condition. There are some tiny losses due to a small bit of flaking in Joseph's head, and additional tiny losses in Christ's left leg, in Joseph's cloak, in the centre in the Madonna's sleeve, and on the lower left margin. Inspection under ultraviolet light reveals pinprick retouchings to a handful of old losses, especially along the upper margin. There is also sensitive retouching in the Madonna's face and neck and hands, in Christ's arm and in his cheek, and scattered through the Madonna's robe. There is a horizontal area of retouching measuring approx. 15 x 3 cm. upper right, between Christ and Saint Joseph's heads, and a vertical area of retouching along the right margin in the shadows of Joseph's head, which continues below the book he holds. There are also tiny areas of strengthening in the still life, lower right. Offered in a gold painted plain wood frame with a few chips but in overall good condition.
"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

Tornioli, whist known predominantly as painter of figurative religious scenes, is also known to have been a proficient painter of still lifes, a fact attested to by the inclusion of floral motifs in many of his mature works, and as seen in the scattered stems at the lower corner of this Holy Family.1 Ciampolini writes that this interest in the inclusion of floral still life elements may well have been a result Tornioli's endeavours to adopt the stylistic preferences of Roman patrons in preparation of his own move to Rome from Sienna in the 1640s.

1. See for example, Ciampolini 2010, figs. 451, 452 and 453.