- 146
Francesco Righetti I (1738-1819), d'après le marbre de Christopher Hewetson (1737-1798)
Estimate
50,000 - 70,000 EUR
bidding is closed
Description
- José Nicolàs de Azara, ambassadeur d'Espagne à Rome
- buste en bronze à patine brune; sur un piédouche en bronze
signé, localisé et daté F. RIGHETTI F ROMAE 1790
titré sur un cartel sur le piédouche JOSE NICOLAS DE AZARA 1730-1840 - bronze
- Haut. 66 cm; height 26 in.
Provenance
Vente Sotheby's à Paris, le 6 avril 2011, lot 164 (vendu 90 750 €).
Literature
REFERENCES BIBLIOGRAPHIQUES
G. Scherf, L'Antiquité rêvée. Innovations et résistances au XVIIIe siècle, cat. exp., Paris, 2011, pp. 406-407, n°36; H. Honnour, "Italian bronze statuettes", dans The Connoisseur, 1961, pp. 198-205; A. Gonzales-Palacios, Nostalgia e invenzione, Milan, 2010, p. 159.
Condition
Very good condition overall with some minor wear to the surface consistent with age and handling. In particular wear to the patina of her nosetip, and cheek, a few minor scratches to the face. Very good cast.
"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
Ambassadeur d'Espagne à Rome, José Nicolas de Azara (1730-1804) y rencontra le peintre néoclassique Anton Raphael Mengs (1728-1779). En 1781, le sculpteur irlandais Christopher Hewetson immortalisa l'amitié de l'ambassadeur et du peintre en réalisant deux marbres à leur effigie, formant pendants (Promoteca Capitolina, Rome). La bibliothèque Mazarine en conserve une paire des mêmes modèles en bronze (inv. n° 109, cf. G. Scherf, op. cit. p. 406). Le fondeur Righetti retranscrivit également en bronze le portrait de Mengs dont un exemplaire, datant de la même année 1795, se trouve à Wiliamstown (Sterling and Francine Clark Art Institute, cf. Gazette des Beaux-Arts, mars 1999, p. 58). Un autre exemplaire du buste d'Azara, identique au nôtre, a été acquis par le Colegio de San Gregorio, à Valladolid.