Circle of Michelangelo Maestri, Bacchante with Figs Pompeii Fresco, Early 1800s, Gouache

Details

Description

An original early 19th-century gouache painting, Circle of Michelangelo Maestri, Bacchante with Figs Pompeii Fresco.A gorgeously vivid early 19th-century painting … Read more 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.All artworks come with a Certificate of Authenticity and—if it is a collection artwork—its accompanying collection text or artist biography. Signed: No. Inscribed: No. Height: 18.2cm (7.2″) Width: 13.1cm (5.2″) 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. Presented: Unframed. See less