Lot 32
  • 32

CIRCLE OF PAOLO CALIARI, CALLED IL VERONESE | Portrait of Francesco Rovellus of Bergamo, three-quarter length

Estimate
3,000 - 5,000 USD
bidding is closed

Description

  • Portrait of Francesco Rovellus of Bergamo, three-quarter length
  • canvas: 40 1/2 by 33 1/2 in.; 103 by 85 cm.
  • framed: 49 by 41 in.; 124.5 by 104.1 cm.
oil on canvas; inscribed and dated upper right: ‘FRANCO ROVELLiVS . / FRANC.O POSTHVMVS . / 1522’

Provenance

Baron Detlev von Hadeln;
Thomas Agnew & Sons, Ltd., London;
By whom given to the North Carolina Museum of Art in 1959, in memory of W.R. Valentiner (G.59.11.1);
By whom deaccessioned and sold, New York, Sotheby's, 28 January 1999, lot 372 (as Circle of Veronese);
There acquired by the present owner. 


Exhibited

Raleigh, North Carolina Museum of Art, 'In Memory of William R. Valentiner 1880-1958: Masterpieces of Art', April 6-May 17, 1959, p. 29, cat. no. 40 (as attributed to Paolo Veronese).

Literature

B.B. Fredericksen and Federico Zeri, 'Census of Pre-Nineteenth-Century Italian Paintings in North American Public Collections', 1972, pp. 40, 627 (as Follower of Veronese).

Condition

This painting appears to be tightly relined and is rather pressed as a result. Overall the figure presents well underneath a dirty varnish, although details on the dark colors are difficult to read. Some minor scuffing that is barely noticeable and possibly a result of old framing is at the bottom right and bottom center of the panel. There are some losses scattered around the edge of the painting, many of which are covered by the frame. Some old repaired tears are visible on the figure's shoulder at left (3.in), on his arm at right (4 in.), and near the instrument (3 in.). UV light reveals a milky varnish under which there appears to be some old retouching that faintly fluoresce, for example around his hand at lower center, in his sleeve at right, above his head, and in the aforementioned repaired tears. A more recent retouching is visible in a small spot beneath his collar. The painting is presented in an elaborately carved gilded wood frame.
The lot is sold in the condition it is in at the time of sale. The condition report is provided to assist you with assessing the condition of the lot and is for guidance only. Any reference to condition in the condition report for the lot does not amount to a full description of condition. The images of the lot form part of the condition report for the lot provided by Sotheby's. Certain images of the lot provided online may not accurately reflect the actual condition of the lot. In particular, the online images may represent colours and shades which are different to the lot's actual colour and shades. The condition report for the lot may make reference to particular imperfections of the lot but you should note that the lot may have other faults not expressly referred to in the condition report for the lot or shown in the online images of the lot. The condition report may not refer to all faults, restoration, alteration or adaptation because Sotheby's is not a professional conservator or restorer but rather the condition report is a statement of opinion genuinely held by Sotheby's. For that reason, Sotheby's condition report is not an alternative to taking your own professional advice regarding the condition of the lot.