Lot 167
  • 167

ABRAHAM-LOUIS-RODOLPHE DUCROS | View of a Villa beside the Cascades at Tivoli, with figures below

Estimate
20,000 - 30,000 GBP
bidding is closed

Description

  • Abraham-Louis-Rodolphe Ducros
  • View of a Villa beside the Cascades at Tivoli, with figures below
  • Pen and grey ink and watercolour heightened with white, red and blue bodycolour on cardboard;bears numbering in red chalk, verso: 5
  • 667 by 980 mm

Provenance

Sale, London, Phillips, 8 December 1993, lot 131;
sale, London, Sotheby's, 4 July 2012, lot 155

Condition

Overall quite fresh and in good condition. Two areas of damage, one, possibly a water stain, located beside the child resting his arm on top of the horse, second, abrasions and losses covered by white body colour, located by the tree on the left handside. Remains of the old mount stuck around the edges now cut. The image remains strong and the medium generally fresh and vibrant throughout. Sold in a large gilded frame.
"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

Tivoli, with its combination of classical ruins and dramatic landscape, was a popular subject for artists from the 16th century onwards, but perhaps held the strongest allure for those active in the 18th century, such as Ducros, who capitalised on the interest of wealthy Grand Tourists, by painting numerous views of Tivoli and its environs. Other views of Tivoli, including multiple views of The Temple of the Sibyl,1 The Interior of the Villa of Maecenas2 and The Temple of Hercules,3 are today in the collection of the Musée Cantonal des Beaux-Arts, Lausanne, whilst a dramatic composition depicting A view of the Temple of the Sibyl at Tivoli4 and A view of Tivoli with Fishermen5 were both sold in these rooms in 1993 and 1975 respectively.

1. Images of the Grand Tour, Louis Ducros 1748-1810, exhib. cat., Kenwood, The Iveagh Bequest; Manchester, The Whitworth Art Gallery; Lausanne, Musée Cantonal des Beaux-Arts, 1985-86, cat. nos. 18, 19 and 20
2. Ibid., cat. no. 21
3. Ibid., cat. no. 22
4. Sale, London, Sotheby’s, 5 July 1993, lot 138
5. Sale, London, Sotheby’s, 13 March 1975, lot 58