Items Similar to Orpheus and the Animals, A Study after an Ancient Bas-Relief
Want more images or videos?
Request additional images or videos from the seller
1 of 3
Bernardino CapitelliOrpheus and the Animals, A Study after an Ancient Bas-Relief1626-1629
1626-1629
About the Item
Inscribed “55” and “218” in the lower right
Watermark: Heawood 1351
Laid down on historic Cassiano Del Pozzo mount
(Mount Type A, 531 x 402 mm)
Provenance:
Commissioned by Cassiano dal Pozzo (1588–1637) for his Museo Cartaceo (Paper Museum) and kept in the library of his palazzo, via dei Chiavari, Rome
Transferred with the entire dal Pozzo collection by fidecommesso to his younger brother, Carlo Antonio dal Pozzo (1606–1689); by descent to his second son:
Gabriele dal Pozzo (d. 1695); by descent to his wife:
Anna Teresa Benzoni and after her remarriage in 1697, the Marchesa Lancellotti de’ Ginnetti (d. 1736); by descent to their son:
Cosimo Antonio dal Pozzo (d. 1740); by whom sold with the Dal Pozzo library in 1703 to:
Pope Clement XI for the Vatican Library; by whom transferred as part of the Museo Cartaceo in January 1714 to his nephew:
Cardinal Alessandro Albani (1692–1779), Palazzo ‘alle Quattro Fontane’ in Rome; by whom sold in 1762 to:
James Adam, agent for the British Royal Librarian Richard Dalton (1715–1791)
King George III of England, Buckingham House
Among the sheets of the ‘Museo Cartaceo’ appropriated by Richard Dalton during a reorganization of the drawings, circa 1786-1788; his estate sale, Greenwood’s, London, 11-19 May 1791; where acquired by:
John MacGowan (d. 1803), lawyer and antiquary of Edinburgh; his sale, Thomas Philipe, London, 26 January-4 February 1804; where acquired by:
Charles Townley (1737–1805); and by descent to:
John Townley (1803–1876); his sale, Sotheby, Wilkinson & Hodge, London, 10-11 May 1865, part of lot 406, purchased by Thorpe (£5.5s)
Sir William Stirling-Maxwell (1818–1878), 9th Baronet of Pollock, acquired by 1871 and bound in an album entitled “Drawings by Italian Old Masters. Sculpture;” and by descent:
Stirling-Maxwell family; their sale, Phillips, London, 12 December 1990, lot 259, where acquired by:
Private Collection, New York
Exhibited:
“I segreti di un collezionista: le straordinarie raccolte di Cassiano dal Pozzo: 1588-1657,” Rome, Galleria Nazionale d’Arte Antica, Palazzo Barberini, 29 September – 26 November 2000, pp. 137-138, cat. no. 147, as Bernardino Capitelli.
Literature:
Amanda Claridge and Eloisa Dodera, “Sarcophagi and Other Reliefs,” Part III, 3 vols., in The Paper Museum of Cassiano dal Pozzo, ed. Arthur MacGregor and Jennifer Montagu, Series A, Antiquities and Architecture, London, 2019, cat. no. 508, pp. 782-784.
This impressive drawing was commissioned by Cassiano dal Pozzo, one of the most significant patrons and collectors in 17th-century Italy. Dal Pozzo was an internationally known scholar of antiquities and natural history, interests that grew out of his connections to the Medici court in Florence and the intellectual circles centered at the University and Botanical Gardens in Pisa. Dal Pozzo achieved considerable success in his lifetime, serving as a secretary to Cardinal Francesco Barberini and accompanying him on several diplomatic missions. He is now remembered and celebrated for his incredibly ambitious project called the Museo Cartaceo, or the Paper Museum, to which this drawing originally belonged. Dal Pozzo employed artists to draw copies after all surviving remnants of Roman civilization, and to a lesser extent, after various types of naturalia, creating a visual encyclopedia of the ancient and natural world. Not only was the Museo Cartaceo an important resource for study and research in seventeenth century Europe, but after dal Pozzo’s death, it also became a treasured possession of popes and kings.
Although this drawing was previously thought to depict an ancient gem or cameo, it was in fact drawn after an ancient marble relief of Orpheus charming the animals, now in the collection of the Louvre (Fig. 1). While it is often been difficult to identify the whereabouts of ancient objects depicted in Museo Cartaceo drawings at the time that they were made, the location of this relief in the 17th century is well-known. It had been purchased from the artist Pietro Tami—who may have restored the work, setting it into its rectangular surround—in 1615 by Asdrubale Mattei, a Roman nobleman and an important patron of Caravaggio. Mattei installed the relief on the eastern wall of the courtyard in his residence, Palazzo Mattei di Giove, above the third ground-floor window from the south wall (Fig. 2). In the 19th century, the relief was acquired by Cardinal Joseph Fesch and was later in the storied collection of the antiquarian Giampietro Campana, which was eventually purchased by Napoleon III for the Louvre.
According to Greek mythology, the poet Orpheus was able to charm animals and suppress their instinctive ferocity with the sweet sound of his lyre. Orpheus sits in the center of this relief playing his lyre with a plectrum while a group of docile creatures gather around him. Lions, wolves, and a cow lie at his feet, while horses, deer, birds, and two braying mules stand around him, responding to his song. Our drawing, which is roughly one-fifth the size of the relief, faithfully imitates the oval shape of the stone and the original form of the lyre, which has since been restored. The draughtsman seems to have interpreted the tree on which the bird in the upper right of the relief is perched as a branch being consumed by the horned deer. Two other seventeenth-century drawings after the relief of Orpheus charming the animals from the Palazzo Mattei di Giove were made for the Museo Cartaceo and are now in the Royal Collection, Windsor (Figs. 3-4). Our version is the most faithful and accomplished of these drawings.
The present work, which is still in its original dal Pozzo mount, was drawn by an artist that executed numerous drawings for the Museo Cartaceo in the 1620s. Nicholas Turner attributed the drawings from this group to Bernardino Capitelli, a Sienese artist who is known to have been in Rome from 1626-29 reproducing ancient monuments for dal Pozzo. Capitelli dedicated several of his etchings to the dal Pozzo family, and a surviving letter from the Italian painter Giovanni Battista Giustammiani testifies to his time in the service of Cassiano. Francesco Solinas accepted the attribution of this sheet to Capitelli in the 2000 Cassiano dal Pozzo exhibition, but the attribution of this group of works to Capitelli has recently been questioned. However, Amanda Claridge, author and editor of the forthcoming volume on Sarcophagi and Other Reliefs from the Cassiano dal Pozzo catalogue raisonné has suggested that the Capitelli’s authorship of this drawing remains a possibility.
The present drawing was likely removed from the Bassi Relievi Antichi albums of the Museo Cartaceo (Royal Collection, Windsor, ten albums, RCINS 970364-970373), which comprised drawings of ancient relief sculptures. It was later in the collection of William Stirling-Maxwell along with 221 other drawings from the dal Pozzo collection. Stirling-Maxwell’s drawings were either already bound or rebound by him into two albums: “Architecture” and “Sculpture,” to which ours belonged. The tiny holes from this binding (or possibly the original one) are still visible along the upper edge of the mount. The drawing also bears two dal Pozzo numbers: the ‘55’ within the drawing of the relief almost certainly refers to its place in the Bassi Relievi Antichi album and the ‘218’ outside the border of relief (the normal position for dal Pozzo numbers) fits into sequence of drawings attributed to Bernardino Capitelli and may date from the reorganization of the Museo Cartaceo by Carlo Antonio dal Pozzo following Cassiano’s death.
We are grateful to Amanda Claridge for her assistance in cataloguing this drawing.
- Creator:Bernardino Capitelli (1589 - 1639)
- Creation Year:1626-1629
- Dimensions:Height: 5 in (12.7 cm)Width: 6.75 in (17.15 cm)
- Medium:
- Movement & Style:
- Period:
- Condition:
- Gallery Location:New York, NY
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU1026275981
About the Seller
5.0
Recognized Seller
These prestigious sellers are industry leaders and represent the highest echelon for item quality and design.
Established in 1997
1stDibs seller since 2012
Typical response time: 11 hours
- ShippingRetrieving quote...Ships From: New York, NY
- Return PolicyThis item cannot be returned.
More From This SellerView All
- The Flight into EgyptLocated in New York, NYInscribed: 3. una Madonna che va in Egitto, verso, and Madonna che va in Egitto, recto Provenance: Private Collection, UK, since 1999 This expressive and boldly executed drawing is the work of Luca...Category
16th Century Old Masters Figurative Drawings and Watercolors
MaterialsChalk, Ink, Pen, Paper
- The Martyrdom of the Santi Quattro CoronatiLocated in New York, NYProvenance: Private Collection, UK After initial training under Justus Suttermans and Vincenzo Dandini, in 1673 Anton Domenico Gabbiani embar...Category
17th Century Old Masters Figurative Drawings and Watercolors
MaterialsPaper, Chalk, Ink, Pen
- The Assumption of the VirginLocated in New York, NYProvenance: Unidentified collector’s mark “D.G.R,” lower right (Lugt 757b) Wilhelm Suida (1877–1959), New York; by descent to: Robert L. and Bertina Suida Manning, New York, until 1996 Private Collection, USA This impressive drawing of the Assumption of the Virgin is the work of the Genoese artist Giovanni Battista Paggi. The son of a nobleman, Paggi received a humanist education and was a self-taught artist. According to Paggi’s first biographer, Raffaele Soprani, it was only after encountering Luca...Category
16th Century Old Masters Figurative Drawings and Watercolors
MaterialsPaper, Ink, Pen
- A Mother and Child, Two Children, and a DogBy Stefano Della BellaLocated in New York, NYProvenance: Elsie de Woolfe, Lady Mendl, Paris; by whom given in 1950 to: Arlene Dahl, New York (until 2021) Inventive, whimsical, and fantastic; delightful, imaginative, and maca...Category
17th Century Old Masters Interior Drawings and Watercolors
MaterialsPaper, Ink, Pen
- Studies of a Seated Figure for “The Contest of the Minnesingers at the Wartburg”Located in New York, NYProvenance: Wilhelm Suida; thence by descent to: Robert L. and Bertina Suida Manning, New York, until 1996 Private Collection, USA. Moritz von Schwind had a long and varied career. He first trained at the Akademie der Bildende Künste in Vienna in the early 1820s, and by the 1840s held positions as professor of painting at the Städelsche Kunstinstitut in Frankfurt am Main and later at the Akademie der Bildenden Künste in Munich. Schwind was the painter and illustrator par excellence of medieval German...Category
1840s Drawings and Watercolor Paintings
MaterialsPaper, Ink, Pen
- Study of a Bull and Study of Two Heads with Laurel Crowns (recto and verso)Located in New York, NYProvenance: (Possibly) Wilhelm Suida; thence by descent to: Robert L. and Bertina Suida Manning, New York, until 1996 Private Collection, USA Traditionally attributed to the French...Category
17th Century French School Drawings and Watercolor Paintings
MaterialsPaper, Chalk
You May Also Like
- Vintage Israeli Bezalel School Drawing Family Playing, Dogs Puppies Kibbutz LifeBy Moshe AvniLocated in Surfside, FLMoshe Avni was born in 1937, in Kibbutz Kfar Blum in the Upper Galilee in Israel. Presently, he lives and paints in Jerusalem. During the years 1956-1957, he studied Painting and Graphic Arts in the Bezalel Art School in Jerusalem, supported by a Betzalel School Scholarship. He studied with and was guided by the painter Leo Roth, z”l (1914-2002), from Kibbutz Afikim. Moshe Avni has participated in Workshops and Courses in the framework of the Kibbutz Movement and the Israeli Artists’ Organization. He has received scholarships from both the Sharett Fund and from the Norman Fund. In 1979, Moshe Avni was accepted to the Israeli Artists’ Organization. Exhibitions 2011 In the Jerusalem House of Quality – 16-22 December 2011 2009 In the Neighborhood Center of Beit haKerem, Jerusalem 2003 In Moshav Batzra, Israel 1984 In the Artists’ Quarter, Rishon leZion, Israel 1979 In the House of Culture for Young People, Kfar Saba, Israel 1977 In the “New Gallery”, Tel Aviv, Israel 1973 In the “New Gallery”, Tel Aviv, Israel 1970 In “The House of Uri and Rami Nechushtan” in Ashdot Yaacov, Israel Horses & People, New Gallery, Tel Aviv 1965 Journalists House - Sokolov House, Tel Aviv, Israel Exhibitions of Young Artists in “House of Helena Rubenstein”, Tel Aviv, Israel Private Exhibitions in Jerusalem, Tel Aviv, and more. Group Exhibitions Kiryat Shmona 1957 Artists: Noemi Schindler...Category
1960s Modern Figurative Drawings and Watercolors
MaterialsPen, Paper, Ink
- Garth Bayley, Heart of the Race, Horse Racing Art, Contemporary Art, Art OnlineBy Garth BayleyLocated in Deddington, GBGarth Bayley Heart of the Race Original Figurative Pen and ink on watercolour paper Image size: H:24 cm x W:32 cm Complete Size of Unframed Work: H:24 cm x W:32 cm x D:0.1cm Sold Unframed Please note that insitu images are purely an indication of how a piece may look Garth Bayley Heart of the Race Original pen and ink painting on watercolour paper Pen and ink on paper Image size: H24 cm x W32 cm x D 0.1cm Sold Unframed Please note that in situ images are purely an indication of how a piece may look. Heart of the Race is an original painting by Garth Bayley. Pen and ink horse racing painting. When you stuck in the middle you have to jostle for space. Horse racing art...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Animal Drawings and Watercolors
MaterialsPaper, Ink, Pen
- Garth Bayley, Thunder, Contemporary Art, Horse Racing Art, Affordable ArtBy Garth BayleyLocated in Deddington, GBGarth Bayley Thunder Original Art Pen and ink on paper Image size: H:24 cm x W:32 cm Complete Size of Unframed Work: H:24 cm x W:32 cm x D:0.1cm Sold Unf...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Animal Drawings and Watercolors
MaterialsPaper, Ink, Pen
- Umbilical Filigree Ovum (drawing)By Hunter StablerLocated in Philadelphia, PAThis is an original India ink, graphite, chalk, and pen on paper drawing by Hunter Stabler measuring 14.25”h x 20.25”w framed. The piece ships in the pictured frame. Hunter Stable...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Figurative Drawings and Water...
MaterialsPaper, Chalk, India Ink, Ballpoint Pen, Graphite
- Cats Watching a Witch on a Broomstick - Vintage Halloween Illustration in InkBy Irene PattinsonLocated in Soquel, CACats Watching a Witch on a Broomstick - Vintage Halloween Illustration in Ink Halloween scene with cats and a witch in India ink pen by Irene Pattinson (American, 1909-1999). A blac...Category
1950s American Modern Figurative Drawings and Watercolors
MaterialsPaper, Watercolor, Pen, India Ink
- Original bird drawing (hand signed and inscribed by Ronnie Cutrone) in monographBy Ronnie CutroneLocated in New York, NYRonnie Cutrone Original bird drawing (hand signed and inscribed by Ronnie Cutrone), 1990 Original signed drawing done in marker held in hardback monograph with dust jacket Boldly signed, dated and inscribed by Ronnie Cutrone on the first front end page 11 × 9 1/2 × 3/4 inches Original signed drawing done in marker held in monograph, dated and inscribed by Ronnie Cutrone on the first front end page. The inscription reads: For David & Barbara Ronnie Cutrone 90 Book information: Publisher: Martin Lawrence Limited Editions, (January 1, 1990) English; Hardcover; 46 pages with 44 color and 11 monochrome illustrations About Ronnie Cutrone: Ronnie Cutrone (July 10, 1948 – July 21, 2013) was an American pop artist known for his large-scale paintings of some of America's favorite cartoon characters, such as Felix the Cat, Pink Panther, Woody Woodpecker and No Glove No Love. Cutrone's paintings are colorful, lively, and less challenging than those of his contemporaries. As Andy Warhol's assistant at the Factory atop the Decker Building from 1972 until 1980, Cutrone worked with Warhol on paintings, prints, films, and other concepts, eventually co-opting Warhol's earliest work (pre-1960) as well as works by Roy Lichtenstein and others, until finally distilling those myriad influences into the style a few critics eventually labeled "Post-Pop." He exhibited at the Niveau Gallery in 1979 with a Scottish artist called Mike Gall who showed paintings of Snoopy, Mickey and Minnie mouse, the Pink Panther and also a small series of Peter Rabbit paintings...Category
1990s Pop Art Animal Drawings and Watercolors
MaterialsInk, Mixed Media, Permanent Marker, Lithograph, Offset, Paper
Recently Viewed
View AllMore Ways To Browse
Antique Pen Stand
Wall Mounted Sculptures Of Birds
George Iii Library
Italy Lion Garden
Wall Relief Garden
Antique Deer Mount
Antique Deer Mounts
Garden Marble Lion
Antique Mule
Horses For Sale
Pen And Ink Stand
The Campana Brothers
Antique Treasure House
Cardinal Sculpture
Antique Stone Garden Lions
Deer Wall Mount
Antique Deer Painting
Song Bird Painting