Portrait of a Nobleman
File Type:
JPEG imageItem Type:
ImageDate:
1984-06-05Citation:
Sotheby's, 5 July 1984, no 272Download Item:
Description:
Pompeo Batoni was a highly fashionable painter in Rome in 18th century. He was greatly in demand for portraits, particularly by the British traveling through Rome as part of their "Grand Tour". There are records of over 200 portraits by Batoni of visiting British patrons. 'This portrait includes one of Batoni's favourite views, that of the Colosseum, seen from the same angle as in his portrait of Sir Gregory Page-Turner, Bart., which is dated 1768. An unusual feature is the inclusion of a small bronze statuette after the antique, something which is apparently unique in Batoni's portraits. The small bronze, probably the work fo Zoffoli, is a copy of the celebrated 'Venus de'Medici' which was sent to Florence from Rome in 1677 and placed in the 'Tribuna' of the Uffizi by 1688. It is seen prominently in Zoffany's famous picture of the 'Tribuna'. The 'Venus de'Medici' was one of the most revered antique statues in the eighteenth century and copies of it in various media were immensely popular.'(Sotheby's)Role:
artistCulture:
ItalianIrish
Dimensions/Extent:
98 cm x 79 cmMaterial (Support):
canvasWork:
paintingRole:
artistType of material:
ImageAvailability:
Full text availablePeriod:
18th centuryMetadata
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