Thomas Barker of Bath

Estimate

8,000 - 12,000 GBP

bidding is closed

Description

Thomas Barker of Bath
The Saltarello, with a view of the Colosseum, Rome
signed and dated l.r.; T.Barker Senr./ Pinxt. 1800, and inscribed on a label, verso; A scene within the walls of Rome/ with ? dancing the Saltarello/ on a Festal Day before the Monastery/ of St. Pietro Montano -/ Painted by Thos Barker in the year/ 1800 & sold to Mr Bush of Doctors'/ Commons for 400 guineas now in/ the possession of Geo Fuller Esqre/ of Weston Lane. Bath
oil on canvas, unframed

Provenance

Bought from the artist by Mr Bush of Doctor's Commons for 400 gns;
George Fuller, Weston Lane, Bath;
Joseph Dingwall, by 1857;
W.R. Pettigrew;
his sale, Christie's London, 8th February 1929, lot 61

Exhibited

Manchester, Art Treasures, 1857, no. 416 (lent by Joseph Dingwall)

Condition

STRUCTURE The canvas has been lined. There is one patch on the reverse of the canvas. PAINT SURFACE The painting appears to be in good condition. There aer some minor flecks of dirt to the sky in the upper centre of the canvas, and there is one small scratch lower right. There is some old retouching around the head of the musician on the extreem right. ULTRAVIOLET Examination under ultraviolet light reveals one are of minor retouching to the background in the lower left of the canvas, as well as some minor retouching around the head of the figure on the extreem left. FRAME The painting is unframed.
"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

Barker travelled to Rome with the engraver John Hibbert in 1791, with the backing of his patron Charles Spackman, the wealthy Bath coach builder. In Rome he became a close associate of John Flaxman, and the two were both members of the Society of English Art Students, a dining club which met on the first Saturday of the month. During his stay Barker filled numerous sketchbooks, persisting "in going out to sketch in the mid-day sun, until he was disabled by a 'coup de soleil'". Returning to England in December 1793 Barker presumably worked up the present painting, which is dates 1800, from these original plein air sketches executed whilst in Rome.

The viewpiont is taken from the southern slopes of the Esquiline Hill, not far from the site of ruins of Nero's Domus Aura, overlooking the Colosseum, with the Monastery of San Pietro in Vincoli on the right.