FILIPPO JUVARRA | AN ARCHITECTURAL FANTASY: A SET DESIGN, POSSIBLY FOR THE OPERA "GIUNIO BRUTO"

Pieter Hoogeweegen, Rotterdam (L.2101a);

Dr. Richard P. Wunder, New York;

with Spencer Drummond Ltd., Hamilton, Bermuda

M. Viale Ferrero, Filippo Juvarra scenografico ed architetto teatrale, 1970, p. 385

After gaining fame as a set designer in Naples in the tradition of Ferdinando Bibiena, the Sicilian-born Juvarra moved to Rome in 1706. Two years later he entered the service of Cardinal Pietro Ottoboni, a wealthy and influential patron of the arts, who resided in the Palazzo della Cancelleria, where construction on an adjoining theatre, the Teatro Ottoboni, had begun in 1689. Juvarra would subsequently turn to architecture when his services were commanded by Victor Amadeus, King of Savoy, and in 1712 he moved to Turin where he was lavishly patronized by the Sardinian monarchy. During his very active career he also visited Portugal, London and Paris.

Although this composition cannot be associated with a known theatrical production with absolute certainty, it shows similarities to sets Juvarra designed for the Opera Giunio Bruto, first given in the Teatro Ottoboni in 1711.

See also the following lot.