Giacomo van Lint

Private collection, Rome;
By whom sold, Milan, Sotheby's, 12 November 2003, lot 161, where acquired.

A. Busiri Vici, Peter, Hendrik e Giacomo Van Lint, Rome 1987, p. 293, cat. no. 343, reproduced in color (as dimensions and location unknown).

The painting overall is in lovely state. The canvas is unlined and stable on its stretcher, the paint surface is clean beneath a clear varnish and it has a craquelure pattern consistent with the painting's age. Inspection under UV reveals only very minor cosmetic retouching to the stretcher bar marks and to the craquelure here and there. The painting requires no further work and is ready to hang in its present state.
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.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING CONDITION OF A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD "AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF SALE PRINTED IN THE CATALOGUE.

Giacomo was the son of Hendrik Van Lint and his Italian wife, Ludovica Margherita. A similar view by the artist, taken from further back, is listed in a private collection in Rome.¹ The conventional depiction of Saint Peter's, usually seen from Bernini's majestic square (see lot 322) is here inventively substituted by the less well-known side, looking north.

The painter at work in the foreground is probably a representation of the artist himself.

1. See Busiri, under Literature, p. 292, cat. no. 342, reproduced.