DELIGHTFUL GOUACHE ITALIANATE ALPINE LANDSCAPE
OF CASTLE RUINS ABOVE A WATERFALL
Beautifully and very decoratively mounted in the traditional Italian style used for this type of painting (not necessarily original mount but still also antique), as very likely brought back as a memento from a grand tour.
Gouache (or bodycolour as it used to be called) on paper with the visible image measuring:
5 3/4 x 8 3/8 inches (21.2 x 14.6 cm)
And including the frame, the whole measures:
10 7/8 x 13 inches (27.5 x 33 cm)
Probably dating to around 1785/1795, so not far off 250 years old now!
Its a lovely,LOVELY thing!
Please note the exquisite detail of such as the goats and the figures as typical for the 18th century, but when not always as good as those. Its a very good hand! The photos have been taken through the glass, so the focus is not perfect. Theyre even better in real life. For the record, as well, the colours are beautiful and wonderfully unfaded. The traditional blue mount is that lovely blue the Italians often used.
Very typical of a traditional style of work produced inthe 18th century, through to the very beginning of the 19th. Gouache views went on being painted through the19th century, but that was mostly down South, particularly around Naples. They were mostly Italian, and are invariably described as "Italian School", as very often unsigned, as often brought back by wealthy travellers on a Grand Tour. And this is clearly an Italianate Alpine view, or maybe of the Dolomites (complete with the Alpine ibex/goats). Im not sure if its a capriccio or not. I havent looked very hard, but I havent identified that castle sitting over a waterfall, but that doesnt necessarily mean it didnt/doesnt exist.
The old mount is very much in the traditional Italian style too. Thats very old, but Im not sure if thats original or not. If it isnt original, its very nice that the framer took such care to present the painting as appropriately as he did. And the more modern but nice gilt frame makes the painting good to hang very effectively as is.
Ive not taken this out of the frame to see if anything is written verso, though (there always might be). And it really is a delightful thing that is now not far off250 years old!
Condition: This is unexamined out of the frame, but looks to be in excellent condition with no sign of discolouration or foxing, as of course would tally with it being painted on lovely C18 rag paper rather than the much less forgiving later wood pulp paper.
Hope you like, but please ask re any questions and please note that UK postage is complementary and included in the "buy it now".