Jean-Joseph-Xavier Bidauld

Anonymous sale, New York, Sotheby's, 18 May 2006, lot 220, where acquired by the present owner for $84,000;
Acquired at the above sale by Simon Dickinson Ltd.;
From whom acquired by the present collector.

The canvas has an old relining, the paint surface is relatively clean, and the varnish is only slightly discoloured. There is a tiny pinprick loss in the upper right corner, and a superficial surface scratch below this (visibile in the catalogue illustration). Inspection under ultraviolet light reveals tiny, meticulous retouchings in the sky, most concentrated in the two upper corners, and a few small scattered retouchings in the mountain, left, and the buildings on the left margin. There is also minor retouching to a diagonal line in the upper left corner, measuring approx. 8 cm. (visible in the catalogue illustration). The painting is otherwise apparently untouched and in very good condition, many of the glazes well-preserved.
"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 small atmospheric landscape was probably painted between 1785–90 during Bidauld's sojourn in and around Rome. Here he painted numerous small canvases directly from nature, many of the same size as the present painting; see, for example, his Sunrise on an Italian landscape, sold at Sotheby's New York, 27 January 2006, lot 337 (for $200,000). Bidauld was one of the best of the small number of neoclassical landscape artists working at this time, and his success helped to pave the way for the next generation of landscapists, including Jean Baptiste Camille Corot.   

This painting will be included in the forthcoming catalogue raisonné on Bidauld currently being compiled by Stéphane Rouvet.