Circle of Giuseppe Arcimboldo

Anonymous sale, Venice, Semenzato, 25 October 1987, lot 133 (as Pietro Paolo Bonzi, with its pendant Autumn).

G. Bocchi and U. Bocchi (eds.), Pittori di natura morta a Roma, artisti Italiani 1630-1750, Viadana 2005, pp. 273, 275, and 318, reproduced in color (as Giovanni Stanchi, possibly from his workshop, and location unknown).

The following condition report has been provided by Simon Parkes of Simon Parkes Art Conservation, Inc. 502 East 74th St. New York, NY 212-734-3920, simonparkes@msn.com, an independent restorer who is not an employee of Sotheby's. This work has not been recently restored, but the condition seems to be quite healthy in many areas. The canvas has an Italian glue lining which is still effective. The varnish on the work is quite milky when viewed under ultraviolet light, but many, if not all, of the retouches seem to be visible on top of this varnish. However, it is possible that older retouches will become more apparent if the varnish is fully cleaned. The retouching that can be seen at present is quite sloppy and broad. Although there is some weakness in the darkest colors and the pink ground color in the sky is quite prominent in areas, the condition is good.
"This lot is offered for sale subject to Sotheby's Conditions of Business, which are available on request and printed in Sotheby's sale catalogues. The independent reports contained in this document are provided for prospective bidders' information only and without warranty by Sotheby's or the Seller."

Milanese by birth, Giuseppe Arcimboldo found huge fame and success at the courts of Vienna and Prague for his unusual anthropomorphic designs such as the present set of four Seasons. Celebrated for their wit and artifice, the composite heads were much imitated in the artist’s lifetime and his idiosyncratic style arguably makes him the most modern sixteenth-century painter, whose work continued to resonate with artists well into the twentieth century, particularly with the Surrealists and Salvador Dalí.

The author of this high quality Allegory of Summer (along with the following lot, Allegory of Autumn) was clearly aware of Arcimbolodo's work, and their core influence is indeed that of the Milanese inventor of this anthropomorphic type. This particular figurative composition, however, may have originated in the studio of the Roman still life specialist Giovanni Stanchi (Rome circa 1645-1672), who presided over a hugely successful family workshop in the decades following the death of Caravaggio. A set of the Four Seasons, in which the same two allegories are depicted, and which may be by Stanchi as well, were sold New York, Christie's, 6 June 2012, lot 34, for $662,500.