Lot 115
Lot 115
Lot Details
After Rosalba Carriera
A pair of portraits: one of a lady holding a mask; the other of a lady holding a basket of fruit
a pair, both oil on copper
each unframed: 20.3 x 16.8 cm.; 8 x 6⅝ in.
each framed: 29.5 x 26.9 cm.; 11⅝ x 10⅝ in.
(2)
Condition Report
The copper plates are flat and stable. The paint surfaces are slightly dirty and the varnish is slightly discoloured. Some surface scuffs and some more discoloured retounchings are visible in both, particularly in the background and around the jawline of the lady holding fruit. The impasto paintwork in the headpieces and costumes of both ladies is well preserved. Inspection under ultraviolet light is impeded by the opaque varnish but it is possible to discern, in addition to the aforementioned retouchngs, a restored damage in the background to the left of the lady holding a mask and an older campaign of restoration through the chest of the lady holding fruit. Overall the painting is in fairly good conditions.
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. Certain images of the lot provided online may not accurately reflect the actual condition of the lot. In particular, the online images may represent colors and shades which are different to the lot's actual color 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. The condition report is a statement of opinion only. For that reason, the condition report is not an alternative to taking your own professional advice regarding the condition of the lot. NOTWITHSTANDING THIS ONLINE CONDITION REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD "AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF SALE/BUSINESS APPLICABLE TO THE RESPECTIVE SALE.
Catalogue Note
The Portrait of a lady holding a mask derives from a well known composition by Rosalba Carriera, possibly a portrait of her student and collaborator Felicita Sartori, which exists in two versions in pastel: one at the Uffizi Gallery, Florence, and another at the Musée d'Art et d'Histoire, Geneva.1 The latter seems to have served as the inspiration for this painting, which shows similar details in the sitter's dress and jewels (note in particular the pearl bracelet). Rosalba's portrait was engraved by Benjamin Smith and Richard Houston (see impressions in the British Museum, London; and the Musée d'Art et d'Histoire, Geneva).2 A copy in miniature of the composition is in the collection of the Gemäldegalerie Alte Meister, Dresden.3 The Portrait of a lady holding a basket of fruit derives from a pastel by Rosalba depicting 'Summer' (whereabouts unknown), which was also engraved.4 Another pastel of the same figure, without the background foliage, is recorded in a Milanese private collection.5
1 B. Sani, Rosalba Carriera 1653–1757. Maestra del pastello nell'Europa ancien régime, Turin 2007, pp. 306–7, nos 344 and 345; https://collections.geneve.ch/mah/oeuvre/portrait-de-felicita-sartori-en-costume-turc/ba-2004-0003-d
2 https://www.britishmuseum.org/collection/object/P_1943-0410-2354; https://collections.geneve.ch/mah/oeuvre/venetian-lady-masquerade/e-2020-0415
3 https://skd-online-collection.skd.museum/Details/Index/596338
4 B. Sani, Rosalba Carriera, Turin 1988, p. 317, no. 307, reproduced fig. 267 and in colour pl. VII.
5 Sani 1988, p. 317, no. 308, reproduced fig. 268.