Marco Ricci

Anonymous sale, New York, Sotheby's, January 26, 2000, lot 78.

The tempera in the figures and buildings is strong and apparently undisturbed. In the sky and clouds there are small losses that have been filled in. The overall appearance is extremely fresh and attractive. The work is not laid down on panel, as was noted in the catalogue. The kidskin is instead backed with a thin sheet of paper.
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.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING CONDITION OF A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD "AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF SALE PRINTED IN THE CATALOGUE.

Ricci was celebrated by his contemporaries who admired his unique and lively landscapes; Anton Maria Zanetti noted, perhaps somewhat fulsomely, that he was "valente nelle architetture, e ne' paesi spezialmente, che formò in ogni modo, a tal segno, che dopo Tiziano fino ad ora non vidde, che l'ugualgliasse."¹  The artist painted a number of these finely finished and beautifully colored tempera landscapes on kidskin circa 1720, and they are among his most luminous and original works.   In them he shows awareness not only of contemporary Venetian landscape and vedute painting, but also 17^th Century Dutch painting, elements of which he introduced to create views of great visual freshness.  Particularly successful compositions he would occasionally repeat, and in fact another version of the present composition was sold in these rooms in 2002.²

When the present painting was offered for sale in 2000 (see Provenance), Annalisa Scarpa Sonino confirmed the attribution to Ricci, based on photographs.

1  "...worthy in architectural painting, and especially in landscapes, that he created in every fashion, and with such success, that after Titian until now we have not seen someone to equal him," Descrizione di tutte le pubbliche pitture della città di Venezia, Venice 1733, . 58.
2   Sale: Sotheby's, New York, January 25, 2002, lot 72.