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European Furniture and Decorative Arts
|
- Sale 1325
Live
| Chicago
Apr 23 | 10:00 AM CDT
Live
| Chicago
Sale 1325
| Chicago
| Chicago
Estimate$6,000 – $8,000
Note:
The subject of this painting depicts the pivotal final moment in the 1581 epic poem Gerusalemme Liberata by Torquato Tasso. Set during the First Crusade at the end of the eleventh century, the narrative follows the beautiful sorceress Armida, who intends to kill the great Christian knight, Rinaldo, but instead falls in love with him just before she strikes. She takes him away to her magical island where they live together happily and he forgets the crusade. Rinaldo’s two knight companions eventually find him, and he is convinced to return to war. Armida is heartbroken at Rinaldo’s departure and attempts suicide, but Rinaldo stops her just in time and she agrees to convert to Christianity.
The Cupid in this painting is based on the left-hand section of a known larger composition of the moment when Rinaldo prevents Armida from taking her life. Cupid holds Armida’s arm, which clutches an arrow, while Rindaldo shields Armida’s body with his own. One version of the composition was offered at Sotheby’s, London, Old Masters Day Sale, 5 December 2019, lot 111 (as a work by Gioacchino Assereto).
Framed dimensions 45 x 30 inches.
Provenance is not known. From a Chicago-area private collection; the sale of the collection is being handled by a fiduciary with no knowledge of the collection and without information from the decedent. Likely acquired prior to the decedent's death within the last 15 years.
The painting appears in overall fairly good, stable, and ready to hang condition. The paint surface is fairly even throughout with sections of craquelure that are more visible in the lighter painted areas. Small abrasions and areas of loss to the canvas where it contacts the frame and touched ups to the paint around the border. There is a black line that runs over one of cupid's legs, this appears to be part of the composition rather than damage. Examination under UV light reveals a few horizontal lines which fluoresce and appear to be touched up when viewed closely. The canvas is lined and the surface varnished. Additional images are available upon request.
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European Furniture & Decorative Arts Department
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