Circle of Michelangelo Maestri, Bacchante with Figs Pompeii Fresco – early C19th gouache painting
Circle of Michelangelo Maestri, Bacchante with Figs Pompeii Fresco – early C19th gouache painting
Circle of Michelangelo Maestri, Bacchante with Figs Pompeii Fresco – early C19th gouache painting

Circle of Michelangelo Maestri Bacchante with Figs Pompeii Fresco

€441,95
€441,95
Esaurito

An original early 19th-century gouache painting – Circle of Michelangelo Maestri, Bacchante with Figs Pompeii Fresco.

A gorgeously vivid early 19th-century painting in opaque gouache, based on the recently discovered Roman wall frescoes in Pompeii. One of a set of four that we have for sale, the image derives from a celebrated series of fresco studies by Michelangelo Maestri (1741–1812) titled 'The Hours of Day or Night', which are thought to be in their turn based on works by Raphael.

The gouache paintings produced by Michelangelo Maestri, and others working in the early 19th century, were extremely popular amongst Grand Tour travellers. Archaeological excavation work had begun at the ancient cities of Pompeii and Herculaneum around 1758, unearthing the Roman art that had laid buried since the eruption of Mt Vesuvius in 79 AD. There was great popular interest in the new discoveries, and paintings by local artists served as souvenirs for Grand Tour travellers before the age of photography. Such images also proved influential on the work of neoclassical architects and decorative art designers.

On wove paper laid down on backing paper from original album. Due to its preservation in an album, the colours and paint surface remain arrestingly vivid and crisp.

Provenance: from a Victorian travel album belonging to Florinda Bookey (1832–1916) of Duninga House, Duninga, Kilkenny, Ireland who in 1867 married William Greenwood (d.1887), Ceylon coffee planter.

+ Read the S&W Collection Research

Neapolitan School Gouache Paintings

This picture forms part of a superb group of works that belonged to Florinda Bookey (1832–1916) of Duninga House, Duninga, Kilkenny, Ireland who in 1867 married William Greenwood (d.1887), Ceylon coffee planter. The collection includes impressive Neapolitan School gouache vedute depicting iconic local sites, and also meticulous renderings of the decorative frescoes at Pompeii.

Naples and Pompeii were often the southerly apotheosis of a European Grand Tour—it being relatively easy to arrange transport on a British ship back to England from Naples. The events at Pompeii and the smoking silhouette of Vesuvius that dominated the Bay of Naples were a unique draw for the traveller and the Romantic imagination. In contrast to the civic sites at Rome—all testaments to imperial power—the monuments at Pompeii were testaments to everyday life and the volcanic power of Vesuvius inspired personal awe and horror. The resulting experience for the traveller was therefore one of heightened authenticity and emotion. Such an experience warranted unique mementoes, and souvenirs were voraciously collected by the Victorian traveller. Pictorial representations of the key sites painted by local artists, to be taken home and shared with others, served as concrete reminders of this emotional engagement.

COA
+ Artwork Details

Dimensions: Height: 18.2cm (7.17") Width: 13.1cm (5.16")

Presented: Unframed.

Medium: Gouache

Age: Early 19th-century

Signed: No.

Inscribed: No.

Dated: --

Condition: In excellent condition. Faint wear / imperfection to the black background as shown. Minor toning and marks to the backing paper. Please see photos for detail.

Stock number: KC-628