Old Master Drawings

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Lot 123
  • 123

Gaetano Gandolfi

Estimate
20,000 - 30,000 GBP
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Description

  • Gaetano Gandolfi
  • portrait of a young boy
  • Black and red and touches of white chalk;
    bears old attribution on the verso: ... Gaetano Gandolfi 

Condition

Laid down at the four corners. Chalks very fresh, some small losses towards the left corner, the tip of which is missing. The losses appears to be from a silverfish. Small losses also to the top edge and right lower edge. One or two very small areas where the chalk has been rubbed. Scattered foxing. Although not perfect the impact of the drawing is very good and strong.
"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

This lovely portrait executed in trois crayons, until now unknown, could be a portrait of Gaetano's eldest son Mauro, on the basis of comparison with other portraits of the child, for example the Portrait of Mauro holding a basket, which was recognised as such by Mimi Cazort in her catalogue for the 1993 Ottawa exhibition.1  Gaetano drew a number of studies of the same boy; this appears to be a better version of the one published by Prisco Bagni and now in a private collection.2  Other such chalk studies, portraits of his children and friends, are known.  They constitute a special and captivating group of works, almost French in manner, but also with strong affinities to Piazzetta's studies of children.

1.  M. Cazort, Bella Pittura, The Art of the Gandolfi, exhibition catalogue, Ottawa, National Gallery, 1993, no. 97, reproduced

2.  P. Bagni, I Gandolfi, Padua 1992, p. 36, no. 32, reproduced