Giuseppe Pietro Bagetti

Maréchal Gouvion-Saint Cyr;
Resté par descendance dans la famille.

The catalogue illustration looks a bit too yellow compared to reality. Contrasts are more subtil. The paper is slightly faded. Good overall condition. Slight stain in the upper left corner, above the mountains. Some slight surface losses in the sky.
"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."

Aquarelliste et architecte originaire de Turin, Giuseppe Pietro Bagetti fut l'élève de Pietro Palmieri l'Ancien. Professeur de dessin à l'Académie Royale de Turin en 1792 puis peintre de paysages au service du roi de Sardaigne, Bagetti enseigna également à l'Ecole Royale d'Artillerie de 1794 à 1796. Il fut ensuite appelé à réaliser de nombreuses esquisses pour Bonaparte, en tant qu'officier dessinateur du corps des ingénieurs géographes. A la demande du général, il exécuta notamment "Les vues des sites les plus intéressants des principales affaires auxquelles la guerre va donner lieu". Le 20 juin 1800, Bagetti fut nommé "Capitaine ingénieur artiste", année au cours de laquelle Bonaparte lui commanda une série d'aquarelles et de gouaches d'après ses premières esquisses. Cette série est à présent conservée au musée de Versailles et un certain nombre de ces paysages ont été exposés au Salon en 1812 et 1814.

Cette composition illustre un paysage important de la campagne d'Italie : la Crète des Alpes du Sud par laquelle l'armée française franchit la frontière en direction de l'Italie.


A VIEW OF COL DE TENDE

Pen and black ink, grey wash, watercolour, heightened with white chalk

The Turinese watercolourist and architect Giuseppe Pietro Bagetti was the pupil of Pietro Palmieri the Elder. Appointed professor of drawing at the Accademia Reale in Turin in 1792, and then painter of landscapes in the service of the King of Sardinia, Bagetti also taught at the Royal School of Artillery between 1794 and 1796. He was subsequently commissioned to produce a number of drawings for Bonaparte, whilst holding the post of 'officier dessinateur du corps des ingénieurs géographes'. Following the general's orders, he famously painted "Les vues des sites les plus intéressants des principales affaires auxquelles la guerre va donner lieu". Bagetti was named "Capitaine ingénieur artiste" on 20 June 1800, the year in which Bonaparte commissioned from him a series of watercolours and gouaches after his original drawings. This series is today in the collection of the museum at Versailles and a number of landscapes were exhibited at the Salon of 1812 and 1814.

The present drawing shows a well-known location in the Italian countryside : a point in the southern part of the Alps where the French army crossed the border as they headed down towards Italy.