Viviano Codazzi

"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."

This lot is accompanied by a copy of an expertise from Prof. Nicola Spinosa. Prof. Spinosa believes the figures to be attributable to Domenico Gargiulo, called Micco Spadaro (1609-75). Gargiulo provided the staffage for Codazzi's elaborate architectural fantasies on numerous occasions; see, for example, in another capriccio with Saint Peter healing the lame in the Museo di Capodimonte in Naples (see D.R. Marshall, Viviano and Niccolò Codazzi, Rome 1993, pp. 132-3, cat. no. VC41, reproduced). On account of the proximity of Gargiulo's figures to those of the Master of the Annunciation to the Shepherds, the Bamboccianti and to Aniello Falcone, Spinosa has dated this pair of capricci to no later than 1640, and most likely to the period 1635-40 when Gargiulo was most heavily influenced by these artists.