Art/Auctions: Important Old Master Paintings at Christie's New York, January 25, 2012

Lot 38, "The Arrival of Henry III at the Villa Contarini," by Giambattista Tiepolo, oil on canvas, 28 1/4 by 42 inches

By Carter B. Horsley

This Old Master Paintings auction at Christie's New York January 25, 2012 is highlighted by very fine paintings by Giambattista Tiepolo, Hans Memling, Vanvitelli, and Francisco Guardi, a lovely fresco of two angels by a member of the circle of Bernardino Luini, a good oil sketch by Peter Paul Rubens, an excellent painting by Gerrit Dou, a rare Giuseppi Archimboldo, a nice Frans Hals, several Fragonards, and some stunning watercolors by Edward Lear.
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The most impressive lot of the auction is Lot 38, "The Arrival of Henry III at the Villa Contarini," by Giambattista Tiepolo (1696-1770). An oil on canvas, it measures 28 1/4 by 42 inches and was once in the collection of Wilhelm Rothschild of Schloss Grunberg in Frankfurt am Main and was confiscated by the Nazis and acquired by Hermann Goering and repatriated to Baron Edmond de Rothschild of Geneva in 1946. It is property of Robert H. and Clarice Smith. Mr. Smith, a real estate developer, was president of the National Gallery of Art in Washington for 10 years. The lot has an estimate of $4,000,000 to $6,000,000. It sold for $5,906,500 including the buyer's premium as do all results mentioned in this article.

The painting was a study for a larger mural that Tiepolo painted for Villa Contarini at Mira near Venice which Henry III as he was being crowned King of France in 1575 and was welcomed in Venice beneath an open loggia decorated with scenes from the young king's life painted by Tintoretto and Veronese. The large Tiepolo fresco was dismantled by Edouard Andre and his wife Nelie Jacquemart in 1895 and moved to their townhouse on Boulevard Haussman in Paris that became the Jacquemart-Andre Museum. The fresco is wider and has more figures and is not in great condition, according to the catalogue entry.

Lot 23, "The Virgin Mary Nursing the Christ Child," by Hans Memling, 6 7/8 inches in diameter, oil and gold on circular panel

The cover illustration of the catalogue is Lot 23, "The Virgin Mary Nursing the Christ Child," by Hans Memling (1410-1494). The exquisite painting, which is in wonderful condition, is 6 7/8 inches in diameter and oil and gold on circular panel. It has an estimate of $6,000,000 to $8,000,000. It was passed at $5,500,000.

A very similar composition by Memling is in the collection of The Metropolitan Museum of Art but it is not in as fine condition. A third version, attributed to the artist's workshop, is in the Mayer Van den Bergh Museum in Antwerp but the catalogue states that it is of weaker quality and coarse execution.

The Madonna in this lot bears a strong resemblance to Rebekah Brooks, the very beautiful former editor of The News of The World.

Lot 26, "Madonna and Child in Glory," by Lorenzo di Bicci, tempera and gold on panel, 23 by 14 1/4 inches

Lot 26 is a fine "Madonna and Child in Glory" by Lorenzo di Bicci (circa 1350-1427?). The tempera and gold on panel measures 23 by 14 1/4 inches. The catalogue entry notes that the artist was "a painter-businessman who passed his practice down to his son, Bicci di Lorenzo, and his grandson, Neri di Bicci, both masters in their own right who ran thriving studios in Florence." "Lorenzo di Bicci's art is informed by the works of Orcagna and his followers, including Jacopo di Cione and Niccolo di Pietro Gerini.....Lorenzo's art is...characterized by a luminous and nuanced use of color, particularly evident in the present panel. The Madonna's sumptuous red robe is depicted with incredibly sensitive attention to light and shadow, with dark glazes layered for added richness in areas of shade. The central pair of figures is surrounded by a mandorla composed of red seraphim, of the highest angelic order, and blue cherubim of the second-highest, which are depicted insets of eight as outlined by church doctrine. Each angel is differentiated with distinct facial expressions and orientations toward the central group, and enlivened with delicate lines of gold that evoke resplendent, holy light." The lot has an estimate of $400,000 to $600,000. It sold for $386,500.

Bici

Lot 23, "The Madonna and Child with Saints Jerome and John the Baptist,"by Neri di Bicci, tempera and gold on panel, 43 by 28 1/8 inches

Lot 23 is a lovely and large tempera on gold on panel by Neri di Bicci (1418-1492) that is titled "The Madonna and Child with Saints Jerome and John the Baptist. It measures 43 by 28 1/8 inches. It has an estimate of $200,000 to $300,000. It passed at $130,000.

Lot 2, "Angels Making Music," by Circle of Bernardino Luini, detached gilded fresco, laid down on canvas, 22 3/4 by 19 5/8 inches

Lot 2 is a very beautiful fresco of "Angels Making Music" by the circle of Bernardino Luini (1480-1532). The detached gilded fresco has been laid down on canvas and measures 22 3/4 b y 19 5/8 inches. The catalogue entry notes that the overall composition is reminiscent of a series by Luini with a "remarkably similar palette of lavender, ochre and light-greens and is likewise populated with figures possessing elegant physiognomies. It has an very modest estimate of $50,000 to $70,000. It sold for $134,500.

cassone

Lot 4, "The slaying of Goliath: a cassone front," by Giovanni di Ser Giovanni Guido, Scheggia, tempera, oil and gold on panel, 16 3/8 by 52 1/8 inches

Lot 4 is a very fine cassone panel for "The Slaying of Goliath" by Giovanni di Ser Giovanni Guido, Scheggia (1406-1486). A tempera, oil and gold on panel, it measures 16 3/8 by 51 1/8 inches. Scheggia was the elder brother of Massaccio and the catalogue entry suggests that the work was probably painted for the marriage of Giuliano Careecchi and Cassandra Lanredi in 1467.

Cassone detail

Detail of Lot 4

The lot has an estimate of $600,000 to$800,000. It sold for $576,500.

Cassone bridge

Lot 24, "Horatio Cocles defending the Sublician Bridge," Florentine School, circa 1450, tempera and gold on panel, 15 78 by 49 7/8 inches

The second furniture panel is Lot 24, "Horatio Cocles defending the Sublician Bridge," Florentinine School, circa 1450 The tempera and gold on panel measures 15 7/8 by 49 1/8 inches and is in good condition and is quite a lively composition. It has an estimate of $300,000 to $500,000. It was passed at $220,000.

Detail of Lot 24

The story depicted relates to the 6th Century B.C.,when the king of Chisium led his army to the banks of the Tiber where the Sublician Bridge was the only crossing.

Lot 25, 'The Madonna and Child Enthroned," by Bernardo Daddi, tempera and gold leaf on panel, 42 3/4 by 23 3/4 inches

Lot 25 is a large and impressive "Madonna and Child Enthroned" by Bernardo Daddi (circa 1318-1348). A tempera and gold leaf on panel, it measures 42 3/4 by 23 3/4 inches. The catalogue entry notes that this work is datable to the artist's earliest period, "during which Giotto's influence is most apparent." The Madonna, the entry continued, "is monumental, practically consuming the throne on which she sits" and "The Christ Child, who stands on her massive left knee, reaches up and stabilizes himself on her collar and mantle.....The Madonna gently wraps her left arm around the Christ Child's back and grasps his right foot, a gesture which showcases both her physical support of and genderness towards her son.....The present picture certainly once comprised the central image of a large polyptych....the attitude of the figures is frontal, stoic, and reserved. The lot has an estimate of $500,000 to $700,000. It sold for $722,500.

Lot 6, "Saints Lucy and Catherine of Alexandria; Saint John the Evangelist; and Saint Nicholas of Bari; predella panels from the S. Giorgio a Ruballa altarpiece, tempera and gold on panel, the panels are 8 1/8 inches high

The auction has another major work by Daddi, Lot 6, "Saints Lucy and Catherine of Alexandria; Saint John the Evangelist; and Saint Nicholas of Bari." They are predella panels from the S. Giorgio a Ruballa altarpiece now in the Courtauld Institute in London Gambier Parry Collection, tempera and gold on panel. The panels are 8 1/8 inches high. The lot has an estimate of $500,000 to $700,000. It sold for $578,500.

Lot 17, "She carries the fire in one hand and water in the other, Filling the well after the calf has drowned, Who knows why geese go barefoot, and The nest robber, by Pieter Brueghel II, each 7 1/8 inches in diameter

Lot 17 is a very nice set of four small roundels by Pieter Brueghel II (1564-1637/8) They are entitled "She carries the fire in one hand and water in the other, Filling the well after the calf has drowned, Who knows why geese go barefoot and The nest robber." The oils on panel each measure 7 1/8 inches in diameter. They were consigned by Viginia Kraft Payson to Christie's New York in the spring of 2007 when the lot sold for $2,332,200. The estimate this time was $1,800,000 to $2,200,000. The lot, which is based on Flemish proverbs, was passed at $1,300,000.

Winter Brueghel

Lot 16, "The Birdtrap,"by Pieter Brueghel II, oil on panel, 14 3/4 by 22 1/2 inches

Lot 16 is an excellent composition known as "The Birdtrap" that is one of about 40 versions by Pieter Brueghel II (1564-1617/8). It measures 14 3/4 by 22 1/2 inches. It has an estimate of $600,000 to $800,000. It sold for $1,082,500.

Christie's Old Master experts Joshua Glazer and Nicholas Hall at press preview of the auction discussing Lot 28, "A Reversible anthropomorphic portrait of a man composed of fruit," by Giuseppi Archimboldo, oil on panel, 22 by 16 3/8 inches

Lot 28 is a reversible anthropomorphic portrait of a man composed of fruit by Giuseppi Archimboldo (circa 1527-1593). It is an oil on panel that measures 11 by 16 3/8 inches. The catalogue notes that it was probably painted for Emperor RudolphII (1552-1612) and then was probably in the collection of Queen Christina of Sweden (1626-1689). It has an estimate of $3,000,000 to $5,000,000. It was passed at $2,500,000.

Archimboldo worked with his father on decorations of the cathedral in Milan before entering into the service of theHabsburg court in Central Europe.

Lot 20, "Portrait of a Gentleman, half length, in a black coat," by Frans Hals, oil on canvas, 30 3/8 by 26 inches

Lot 20 is good "Portrait of a Gentleman, half length, in a black coat" by Frans Hals (1581/5-1666). An oil on canvas, it measures 30 3/8 by 26 inches. It is property of the Collection of ElizabethTaylor and hung in her Beverly Hills living room. It has a modest estimate of $700,000 to $1,000,000. It sold for $2,098,500.

Lot 59, "A Young Lady Playing a Clavichord," by Gerrit Doug, oil on panel, 15 1/4 by 12 1/12 inches

Lot 59 is a fine oil on panel of "A Young Lady Playing a Clavichord," by Gerrit Dou (1613-1675). It measures 15 1/4 by 12 1/2 inches. It has an estimate of $1,000,000 to $1,500,000. It sold for $3,330,500. It was once owned by Afred de Rothschild of London. It closely resembles a similar painting in the collection of the Dulwich Picture Gallery in London in which the tapestry on the right is much more colorful.

Rubens

Lot 14 "The Assumption of the Virgin," by Peter Paul Rubens, oil on panel, 17 1/2 by 11 1/2 inches

Lot 14, is a lovely oil sketch on panel of "The Assumption of the Virgin," by Sir Peter Paul Rubens (1577-1640). It measures 17 1/2 by 11 1/2 inches and the catalogue entry states that it is "an important addition to Rubens' known oeuvre, this unpublished oil sketch is knew to scholars and collections. Rubens produced 7 altarpieces of the subject that was likely inspired by an altarpiece by Titian in Santa Maria Gloriosa dei Frari in Venice. There are versions of this work in the State Hermitage Museum in Saint Petersburg and the Kunsthistorishes Museum in Vienna. The lot has an estimate of $2,000,000 to $3,000,000. It sold for $2,434,500.

Lot 37, "Capriccio with a ruined late Gothic arch, with fishermen on a bridge," by Francesco Guardi, oil on canvas, 19 1//8 by 29 inches

Lot 37 consists of two very fine pendant oil paintings of ruined arches by Francisco Guardi (1712-1793). One is entitled "Capriccio with a ruined late Gothic arch, with fishermen on a bridge."

Lot 37, "Capriccio with a classical ruined arch, river bank with fishermen, a temple beyond," by Francesco Guardi, oil on canvas, 19 1/8 by 29 inches

The other is entitled "Capriccio with a classical ruined arch, river bank with fishermen, a temple beyond." Both works measures 19 1/8 by 29 inches. The lot has a modest estimate of $1,200,000 to $1,800,000. It was passed at $750,000.

Lot 32, "View of the Bacino di San Marco, Venice, from the Grand Canal," by Vanvitelli, oil on canvas, 20 3/4 by 42 1/8 inches

Lot 32 is an excellent Venetian scene by Gaspar van Wittel, called Vanvitelli (1652/3-1736). Entitled "View of the Bacino di San Marco, Venice, from the Grand Canal," it is an oil on canvas that measures 20 3/4 by 42 1/8 inches. It has an estimate of $1,000,000 to $1,500,000. It sold for $1,538,500. Vanvitelli was very influential on Canaletto and Belloto, later famous painters of similar vedute paintings.

Lot 33, "View of Naples and the Castel dell'Oro,"by Vanvitelli, oil on canvas, 20 3/4 by 42 1/8 inches

Lot 33 is a pendant of Lot 33. Entitled "View of Naples and the Castel dell'Oro," it is an oil on canvas that measures 20 3/4 by 42 1/8 inches. It has an estimate of $700,000 to $1,000,000. It was passed at $600,000.

Lot 39, "The Piazza Navona, Rome," by Vanvitelli, oil on copper, 17 1/4 by 29 1/8 inches

Lot 39 is a third Vanvitelli. It is entitled "ThePiazza Navona, Rome." An oil on copper, it measures 17 1/4 by 29 1/8 inches. It has an estimate of $700,000 to $1,200,000. It sold for $1,022,500.

Lot 57, "View of Mount Olympus, Macedonia and Thessaly, near the Gulf of Salonika," by Edward Lear, oil on panel, 7 by 11 inches

Lot 57 is a very fine oil on panel by Edward Lear (1812-1888) of "View of Mount Olympus, Macedonia and Thessaly, near the gulf of Salonika." It measures 7 by 11 inches and is dated 1864. It has an estimate of $30,000 to $50,000. It sold for $104,500.