Lot 20
  • 20

Florentine School, second half of the 16th Century

Estimate
2,500 - 3,500 GBP
bidding is closed

Description

  • Four designs for illustrations, with cartouches at the top and the same view at the bottom
  • Pen and brown ink and wash, drawn on four pieces of paper, joined into two separate drawings

Provenance

With H.M. Calmann, London; 
Lodewijk Houthakker (L.3893), on the bottom sheets

Literature

P. Fuhring, Design into Art. Drawings for Architecture and Ornament. The Lodewijk Houthakker Collection, London 1989, pp. 342-343, nos. 528-529, reproduced figs. 528-529

Condition

A) Laid down, traces of a vertical old folds to the top sheet, some brown staining along the left end side of both sheets. Slight soiling B) Laid down, in better condition and media fresher than the previous two sheets, slight minor stains to the right margin of the second sheet
"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

As Peter Fuhring has observed it is not always easy to establish the purpose of ornament drawings such as these. In this case it would seem plausible that these designs were intended for book illustrations, the stippling in the central panels seemingly indicating text.