(San Gimignano 1619–1703)
Bathsheba at her Bath,
oil on canvas, 77 x 115 cm, framed

We are grateful to Filippo Ferro for confirming the attribution of the present painting on the basis of a digital photograph and his assistance in cataloguing this lot.

The present painting shows Bathsheba, about to bathe in a garden, accompanied by a maidservant with a pitcher and a youth holding a tambourine, who points towards King David looking down admiringly from a palace balcony. The painting captures the allure and splendour of this biblical episode (2. Samuel, 11) and caters to the taste of the aristocratic patron.

Based on its style, the present painting can be attributed to the œuvre of Giuseppe Nuolone, comparable to some of his other Bathsheba scenes (cf. F. M. Ferro, Nuvolone: una famiglia di pittori nella Milano del ‘600, Soncino 2003, p 261-262, g 99, ill. 129, p 447; g 100, plate XCV, p 143; g 101, plate XCIV p 142). The painting belongs to the artist’s late period, the last decade of the 17th century. This date is supported by the features of Bathsheba herself, as well as those of her two servants, which resemble Joseph sold by his brother in a painting belonging to a private collection (cf. F. M. Ferro, ibid., 2003, p 275, g 159, ill. 146a).

We are grateful to Filippo Ferro for confirming the attribution of the present painting on the basis of a digital photograph and his assistance in cataloguing this lot.

The present painting shows Bathsheba in a garden and about to take a bath, acc