Lot 863
- 863
Francesco Conti
Estimate
4,000 - 6,000 GBP
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Description
- Francesco Conti
- The victory of Virtue over Vice
- oil on canvas
Provenance
With Kurt Rossacher (1918–88), Salzburg, by 1965.
Exhibited
Darmstadt, Hessischen Landesmuseum, Visionen des Barock, 3 July – 3 October 1965, no. 49 (as Giambattista Piazzetta).
Literature
K. Rossacher, Visionen des Barock, exhibition catalogue, Darmstadt 1965, pp. 106–07, cat. no. 49, reproduced (as Giambattista Piazzetta);
R. Pallucchini and A. Mariuz, L'opera completa del Piazzetta, Milan 1982, p. 124, cat. no. A92, reproduced p. 125 (as aonymous);
F. Berti, Francesco Conti pittore fiorentino, doctoral diss., Università degli Studi di Frienze, 1996–97, p. 120;
F. Berti, 'I dipinti di artisti fiorentini del Barockmuseum di Salisburgo', in Barockberichte, no. 24/25, 1999, pp. 450–51;
F. Berti, Francesco Conti, Florence 2010, p. 145, cat. no. 26, reproduced (as Francesco Conti).
R. Pallucchini and A. Mariuz, L'opera completa del Piazzetta, Milan 1982, p. 124, cat. no. A92, reproduced p. 125 (as aonymous);
F. Berti, Francesco Conti pittore fiorentino, doctoral diss., Università degli Studi di Frienze, 1996–97, p. 120;
F. Berti, 'I dipinti di artisti fiorentini del Barockmuseum di Salisburgo', in Barockberichte, no. 24/25, 1999, pp. 450–51;
F. Berti, Francesco Conti, Florence 2010, p. 145, cat. no. 26, reproduced (as Francesco Conti).
Condition
The canvas has been relined, the paint surface is dirty and the varnish is slightly discoloured. There is a loss, measuring approx. 1 by 0.5 cm. on the lower right margin (visible in the catalogue illustration). Inspection under ultraviolet light reveals a rather milky, opaque varnish, which makes it difficult to discern any previous restoration, but there does not appear to be any intervention. In overall good condition.
"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
Published as Giambattista Piazzetta at the time of the 1965 exhibition, this painting was rejected as such in Pallucchini and Mariuz's catalogue raisonné in 1982. It is now accepted as the work of Francesco Conti, who studied primarily under Giovanni Maria Morandi and Carlo Maratta in Rome and his native Florence. Most comparable to the present painting are Conti's Allegories in the Casino di Gualfonda in Florence, which depict Fame, Faith and Peace and date to 1709.1
We are grateful to Dr. Francesca Baldassari for confirming the a💙ttribution to Conti, and for suggesting a similar date to the Gualfonda pictures for this painting.
1. See Berti 2010, under Literature, pp. 105-07, cat. no. 7.