Early British Drawings, Watercolours and Portrait Miniatures

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Lot 112
  • 112

Hugh Douglas Hamilton

Estimate
6,000 - 8,000 GBP
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Description

  • Hugh Douglas Hamilton
  • Portrait of Antonio Canova (1757-1822)
  • inscribed on the mount l.l.: By Hugh Douglafs Hamilton Esq. Portrait painter at Rome, further inscribed l.r.: Canova
  • pastel over traces of pencil
  • 25 by 20.6 cm.; 9 7/8 by 8 1/8 in.

Condition

The colours have remained very strong and fresh. The paper has discoloured to a certain extent. This is particularly noticeable on the original backing-sheet. There is a small area, located in the bottom left hand corner, where the paper has changed colour at a different rate to the rest of the sheet. There are two very soft creases located to the left of the sitters eye and in the middle of his right check. These are only noticeable on very close inspection. The pastel appears to have suffered from minor rubbing, however this has occurred within the background areas, rather than within the sitters face.
"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

Antonio Canova was the leading neo-classical sculptor of his day. Born in Possagno, Northern Italy, he moved to Venice in 1768 before settling in Rome from 1778 until the end of his life. Hugh Douglas Hamilton lived in Rome between 1782 and 1791. While there, Hamilton developed a close friendship with many of his fellow artists, and this is especially true of Canova. Other pastel portraits of Canova by Hamilton are known to exist. Two were sold at Christie's, London on the 7th November 1995, lot 49 and the 8th June 2000, lot 44 respectively. Canova also featured in one of Hamilton's most ambitious pastels which dates from 1788-9 and is entitled: Antonio Canova in his Studio with Henry Tresham and a Plaster Model for the 'Cupid and Psyche' (see Andrew Wilton and Ilaria Bignamini, Grand Tour, The Lure of Italy in the eighteenth Century, 1996, cat. no. 32).