Lot 42
  • 42

MARIANO ROSSI | The assassination of Julius Caesar

Estimate
8,000 - 12,000 USD
bidding is closed

Description

  • Mariano Rossi
  • The assassination of Julius Caesar
  • canvas: 19 3/8 by 25 in.; 49.2 by 63.7 cm.
  • framed: 27 3/4 by 33 in.; 70.5 by 83.2 cm.
oil on canvas

Condition

The canvas is lined. The image reads well beneath a clear varnish and retains good detail in areas, particularly in the white drapery of the standing figure at right and in the drapery of the figures at left. Inspection under UV reveals some isolated spots of retouching scattered here and there, for example, in the costume and area near the center of the figure in red, in the shadows of figures at left and lower left foreground, and in the shadows and darks between the groups of figures to the right of center. UV also reveals some isolated spots of retouching to the architecture in the background, some of which has faintly discolored to the naked eye, for example above the figures at center. There is a thin horizontal line of filled repair at upper right in the background. Offered in a decoratively carved wood frame with some nicks and losses.
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.

Catalogue Note

Although little is known of the life of the Sicilian born Mariano Rossi, he is perhaps most well known today for his monumental fresco for the ceiling of large Salon in the the Borghese Gallery, Rome, which depicts the depicting the Roman hero Marcus Furius Camillus and which he completed around 1775-1779.1   The exuberance and energy found in such large frescoes and canvases can be found echoed also in his smaller scale paintings, such as the present work.  Another painting by Rossi of comparable dimensions and handling was sold at Sotheby's, London, 11 December 1996, lot 242. 1.  For additional comparative works by the artist see G. Sestieri, 'Repertorio della pittura Romana della fine del seicento e del settecento,' Turin 1994, vol. III, plates 1000-1006.