The Master of the Fertility of the Egg
(Brescia, active 17th Century)
Animals and stylised figures,
oil on canvas, 87 x 119 cm, framed
Provenance:
sale, Christie’s, New York, 11 May 1994, lot 41 (as Attributed to Faustino Bocchi);
where acquired by the present owner
The Master of the Fertility of the Egg’s works are characterised by a curious zoomorphic imagery. He belongs among the circle of Faustino Bocchi (1659-1742) and the artist’s moniker derives from the canvas in the Milwaukee Art Museum, Wisconsin (inv. no. M. 1963-26).
The figures and animals in his paintings are often seen in profile and silhouetted against dark, flat backgrounds that enclose his compositions. The profiles of the figures overlap one another in layered planes. These animals and dwarfs play out the same activities as people, in a frenetic and disorganised multitude of actions and reactions, that are poised between the absurd and the grotesque.
Striped cats duel, plucked chickens flee frogs armed with swords, elegantly dressed geese sit at laid tables with slow-witted monkeys and well-mannered turkeys and it is difficult to interpret their real meaning.
30.04.2019 - 17:00
- Realized price: **
-
EUR 62,800.-
- Estimate:
-
EUR 20,000.- to EUR 30,000.-
The Master of the Fertility of the Egg
(Brescia, active 17th Century)
Animals and stylised figures,
oil on canvas, 87 x 119 cm, framed
Provenance:
sale, Christie’s, New York, 11 May 1994, lot 41 (as Attributed to Faustino Bocchi);
where acquired by the present owner
The Master of the Fertility of the Egg’s works are characterised by a curious zoomorphic imagery. He belongs among the circle of Faustino Bocchi (1659-1742) and the artist’s moniker derives from the canvas in the Milwaukee Art Museum, Wisconsin (inv. no. M. 1963-26).
The figures and animals in his paintings are often seen in profile and silhouetted against dark, flat backgrounds that enclose his compositions. The profiles of the figures overlap one another in layered planes. These animals and dwarfs play out the same activities as people, in a frenetic and disorganised multitude of actions and reactions, that are poised between the absurd and the grotesque.
Striped cats duel, plucked chickens flee frogs armed with swords, elegantly dressed geese sit at laid tables with slow-witted monkeys and well-mannered turkeys and it is difficult to interpret their real meaning.
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| Auction: | Old Master Paintings |
| Auction type: | Saleroom auction |
| Date: | 30.04.2019 - 17:00 |
| Location: | Vienna | Palais Dorotheum |
| Exhibition: | 20.04. - 30.04.2019 |
** Purchase price incl. buyer's premium and VAT
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