- 88
Gaspar van Wittel, called Vanvitelli
Estimate
20,000 - 30,000 GBP
bidding is closed
Description
- Gaspar van Wittel, called Vanvitelli
- An Italian view, with a town by a bridge
- Pen and brown ink and watercolour with touches of gouache over traces of black chalk;
signed with initials on the mill on the right: G.V.W. and bears numbering in brown ink, verso: N-12 - 11 x 16 5/8 inches
Provenance
Sale, New York, Christie's, 11 January 1989, lot 54
Literature
G. Briganti, edition by Laura Laureati and Ludovica Trezzani, Gaspar van Wittel, Milan, 1996, p. 382, no. D278, reproduced p. 383, D278
Condition
Overall in very good condition. A few small nicks and tears around the edges of the sheet. Some rubbing and abrasion in the upper section in the sky and other areas where pigment has been rubbed/lost at the corners of the sheet. Otherwise colours remain vibrant 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."
"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 picturesque landscape belongs to Van Wittel’s group of Vedute Ideate - views loosely based on real locations that the artist had seen and drawn during his travels in Italy, but not actually representing with accuracy any specific place. Briganti (see Literature) has suggested that this particular view may have been inspired by the town of Ariccia, but another very similar landscape, sold in these Rooms in 1995, was catalogued as a view of Orte.1 It is clear that Van Wittel drew inspiration from places he visited near Rome and borrowed motifs and landmarks to include in his ‘idealised views.’
The present sheet and the one sold in 1995 appear to be from the same series as five other watercolours that are discussed in Briganti’s entry, two of which were sold at Sotheby’s in New York in 19952, and the other three in the same Christie’s sale where the Koprowskis acquired the present drawing (see Provenance). All seven sheets are similar in size and format, and several bear comparable numberings on the verso. Briganti proposes an approximate dating for this group between 1710 and 1720.
1. Sale, London, Sotheby’s, 3 July 1995, lot 127
2. Sale, New York, Sotheby’s, 10 January 1995, lots 155 and 156