A Mayfair Pied-à-Terre: An Interior by Alidad
A Mayfair Pied-à-Terre: An Interior by Alidad
Valerio Castello
The Idolatry of Solomon
Lot Closed
February 2, 02:58 PM GMT
Estimate
40,000 - 60,000 GBP
Lot Details
Description
Valerio Castello
Genoa 1624 - 1659
The Idolatry of Solomon
oil on canvas
unframed: 166.8 x 209.6 cm.; 65 7/8 x 82 1/2 in.
framed: 190.9 x 231.2 cm.; 75 1/4 x 91 in.
Anonymous sale, Genoa, Boetto, 22 February 2010, lot 398, where acquired.
C. Manzitti, Valerio Castello, Turin 2004, pp. 203-04, cat. no. 232, reproduced.
The subject matter here is taken from the Book of Kings (1:11) which recounts how Solomon was led astray by some of his new wives (of which he is said to have had around 700), who encouraged him to worship false idols. The Old Testament subject of Solomon committing idolatry to please his many wives was popular during this period, because it allowed for the depiction of moral affront as well as of enticing female figures.
This is one of two representations of this subject by Castello; the second was in the collection of Francesco Peloso (1767-1835), Genoa, and has remained in that collection by descent.1 Castello's great talent is made evident through his ability to convey the same scene in two different yet both completely masterful ways.
In his 2004 catalogue, Manzitti suggests a dating of late in the artist's career for this work.
1 Manzitti 2004, p. 198, cat. no. 223, reproduced.