Years 1540-1569
See also : Ancient Germany Cranach Italian painting 1280-1700 Christianity Madonna and Child Chinese porcelain Ming porcelain Later Ming
1540-1545 Fontis Nympha by Cranach
2022 SOLD for £ 9.4M by Christie's
The Nymph of the spring by Cranach is both a proverb and an excuse for displaying a recumbent female nude. Twelve examples are known with variants in the position of the woman and in the landscape behind her. The elongated body is typical of the cannon of cute beauty practiced by the master.
The proverb is a poem previously used by Dürer in a more extended version. It reads in a cartouche : FONTIS NYMPHA SACRI SOMNVM NE RVMPE QVIESCO (do not break the serenity of the Nymph of the Sacred Spring in her sleep).
It is indeed not an erotic invite but a Lutheran warning against the vanity of pleasure. A close inspection shows that the lower body is not nude but covered by a scarcely visible veil. A pair of pecking partridges, a quiver of arrows and the rich necklace are the threats of the sexual temptation.
On June 7, 2022, Christie's sold a Nymph for £ 9.4M from a lower estimate of £ 6M, lot 6. This oil on panel 82 x 120 cm in beautiful preservation is announced as the largest example known. It is dated 1540-1545 in consistence with the monogram of the winged serpent used from 1537.
It had resurfaced in 1990 and a provenance tentatively including the emperor Rudolf II and queen Christina of Sweden has been proposed.
Please watch the video shared by the auction house.
The proverb is a poem previously used by Dürer in a more extended version. It reads in a cartouche : FONTIS NYMPHA SACRI SOMNVM NE RVMPE QVIESCO (do not break the serenity of the Nymph of the Sacred Spring in her sleep).
It is indeed not an erotic invite but a Lutheran warning against the vanity of pleasure. A close inspection shows that the lower body is not nude but covered by a scarcely visible veil. A pair of pecking partridges, a quiver of arrows and the rich necklace are the threats of the sexual temptation.
On June 7, 2022, Christie's sold a Nymph for £ 9.4M from a lower estimate of £ 6M, lot 6. This oil on panel 82 x 120 cm in beautiful preservation is announced as the largest example known. It is dated 1540-1545 in consistence with the monogram of the winged serpent used from 1537.
It had resurfaced in 1990 and a provenance tentatively including the emperor Rudolf II and queen Christina of Sweden has been proposed.
Please watch the video shared by the auction house.
#AuctionUpdate Lucas Cranach The Elder’s (1472-1553) 'The Nymph of the Spring' from The Collection of Cecil & Hilda Lewis sells above estimate for £9,449,500. pic.twitter.com/telMa3VeVJ
— Christie's (@ChristiesInc) July 7, 2022
1542-1543 Good and Evil in Brescia
2012 SOLD 4.6 M$ including premium
PRE SALE DISCUSSION
At the time of Titian, Brescia depended on the republic of Venice. The master painter working in the city was called Girolamo di Romano, named after the village where his family originated. His artist name was Il Romanino.
On June 6 in New York, Christie's sells a Cross Bearer by Romanino, oil on canvas 81 x 72 cm, estimated $ 2.5M.
This episode of the Passion of Christ promotes the stoicism of the Christians against humiliation, symbolized by the cross, the crown of thorns, the shoulder that is laid bare in the effort. In his satin dress, the humiliated Christ is still the Lord illuminated by light.
Evil is very close but in the shadows, with the Baroque head of a terrible mustachioed soldier who puts all his energy trying to capture the attention of Christ. Unsuccessfully, of course.
Romanino's work is varied and not well documented, so it is difficult to date. Expert opinions on the realization of this painting converge however to 1542 or 1543.
Good and Evil will end up to dispute for that painting. In 1941, during the occupation of Paris by the Germans, it was included in a forced sale, and it took 70 years for returning it to the heirs of the robbed collector.
POST SALE COMMENT
Christie's had considered that the quality of the artwork was more important than the identification of its author, a relatively unknown provincial painter. They were right. The result: $ 4.6 million including premium.
Please watch the video shared by Christie's :
At the time of Titian, Brescia depended on the republic of Venice. The master painter working in the city was called Girolamo di Romano, named after the village where his family originated. His artist name was Il Romanino.
On June 6 in New York, Christie's sells a Cross Bearer by Romanino, oil on canvas 81 x 72 cm, estimated $ 2.5M.
This episode of the Passion of Christ promotes the stoicism of the Christians against humiliation, symbolized by the cross, the crown of thorns, the shoulder that is laid bare in the effort. In his satin dress, the humiliated Christ is still the Lord illuminated by light.
Evil is very close but in the shadows, with the Baroque head of a terrible mustachioed soldier who puts all his energy trying to capture the attention of Christ. Unsuccessfully, of course.
Romanino's work is varied and not well documented, so it is difficult to date. Expert opinions on the realization of this painting converge however to 1542 or 1543.
Good and Evil will end up to dispute for that painting. In 1941, during the occupation of Paris by the Germans, it was included in a forced sale, and it took 70 years for returning it to the heirs of the robbed collector.
POST SALE COMMENT
Christie's had considered that the quality of the artwork was more important than the identification of its author, a relatively unknown provincial painter. They were right. The result: $ 4.6 million including premium.
Please watch the video shared by Christie's :
1545 The Painter and the Burger
2010 SOLD 5.6 M£ including premium
Christie's presents for sale on July 6 in London a beautiful German portrait of the sixteenth century, in good condition, estimated £ 5 million.
The artist, Georg Pencz, was known at Nuremberg as the best pupil of Dürer. At that time the German art was imbued with the Italian influence. Pencz is also (and mostly) famous as a printmaker. The painting is signed with his monogram.
The model, Sigismund Baldinger, is a typical member of the commercial bourgeoisie. Based in Nuremberg where he joined the council, he worked for a merchant family of Augsburg.
In 1545, Baldinger was 35 years old. He is a bearded man with short hair, well dressed, very modern-looking. Solid and confident, he gazes with authority and courtesy. If he believes that this artwork forwards the image of his glory to his descendants, he is right. He will be knighted soon after and this oil on panel, 135 x 118 cm, will remain in his family for nearly four centuries.
POST SALE COMMENT
This portrait of a civilian is altogether rare, large size and of high quality. It is not easy to find an auction history for this pupil of Dürer. The market understood: £ 5.6 million including premium.
The artist, Georg Pencz, was known at Nuremberg as the best pupil of Dürer. At that time the German art was imbued with the Italian influence. Pencz is also (and mostly) famous as a printmaker. The painting is signed with his monogram.
The model, Sigismund Baldinger, is a typical member of the commercial bourgeoisie. Based in Nuremberg where he joined the council, he worked for a merchant family of Augsburg.
In 1545, Baldinger was 35 years old. He is a bearded man with short hair, well dressed, very modern-looking. Solid and confident, he gazes with authority and courtesy. If he believes that this artwork forwards the image of his glory to his descendants, he is right. He will be knighted soon after and this oil on panel, 135 x 118 cm, will remain in his family for nearly four centuries.
POST SALE COMMENT
This portrait of a civilian is altogether rare, large size and of high quality. It is not easy to find an auction history for this pupil of Dürer. The market understood: £ 5.6 million including premium.
Jiajing - The Carps of the Heavenly Pond
2017 SOLD for HK$ 214M including premium
The palace bowls of the Chenghua emperor were fabulous by the quality of the porcelain and their early application of polychromy but the pieces were small and the drawings were naive. A period of inactivity begins because of court protests against the onerous taste of the leading concubine for such a luxury.
The progress of Jingdezhen porcelain is restarting with the Jiajing emperor, an art lover and an adept of Taoism. Becoming emperor at the age of 14 in 1522, Jiajing reigned for 45 years. Large pieces are made under his rule, using the bright color palette identified as wucai. Wucai literally means five enamels, five having here a meaning of plurality adjusted to the five elements
This emperor liked to state that he was the fisherman of the heavenly pond. The pattern with fish swimming amidst aquatic plants enables a pleasing interweaving of the drawings on the walls of the jars and Jiajing himself promotes this theme by massive commissions. The details of the themes are related to homophonic rebuses bringing to the emperor the auspices that he so much enjoyed.
A 46 cm high jar with its cover is one of the biggest pieces of that type. It is animated by carps of two different sizes. The suspension of the fish in water allows various attitudes. The porcelain was first painted with the classical underglaze blue. The other colors were added over the glaze. Experts believe that three firings have been necessary.
Pieces which are still with their original cover are very rare in private hands. This one was sold for HK $ 44M including premium by Sotheby's on October 29, 2000, a very high price at that time for a Chinese porcelain. It will be sold by Christie's in Hong Kong on November 27, lot 8006. Please watch the video shared by Christie's.
The progress of Jingdezhen porcelain is restarting with the Jiajing emperor, an art lover and an adept of Taoism. Becoming emperor at the age of 14 in 1522, Jiajing reigned for 45 years. Large pieces are made under his rule, using the bright color palette identified as wucai. Wucai literally means five enamels, five having here a meaning of plurality adjusted to the five elements
This emperor liked to state that he was the fisherman of the heavenly pond. The pattern with fish swimming amidst aquatic plants enables a pleasing interweaving of the drawings on the walls of the jars and Jiajing himself promotes this theme by massive commissions. The details of the themes are related to homophonic rebuses bringing to the emperor the auspices that he so much enjoyed.
A 46 cm high jar with its cover is one of the biggest pieces of that type. It is animated by carps of two different sizes. The suspension of the fish in water allows various attitudes. The porcelain was first painted with the classical underglaze blue. The other colors were added over the glaze. Experts believe that three firings have been necessary.
Pieces which are still with their original cover are very rare in private hands. This one was sold for HK $ 44M including premium by Sotheby's on October 29, 2000, a very high price at that time for a Chinese porcelain. It will be sold by Christie's in Hong Kong on November 27, lot 8006. Please watch the video shared by Christie's.
Poesie by TITIAN
1
for reference
1553 Danaë
Duke of Wellington collection
Titian was commissioned for a series of mythological paintings, known in period as poesie, for the use of Philip of Habsburg who became King consort of England in 1554 and King Felipe II of Spain in 1555. He delivered six large size painting from 1553 to 1562.
The first one was a Danaë, closely inspired from an original version made by the master in 1544-1546, from which the artist has replaced cupid by an aged maid and removed a piece of cloth on the right upper thigh of the nymph.
It is now agreed that the Danaë poesia is not the Prado version but the Wellington example. The image is shared by Wikimedia.
The first one was a Danaë, closely inspired from an original version made by the master in 1544-1546, from which the artist has replaced cupid by an aged maid and removed a piece of cloth on the right upper thigh of the nymph.
It is now agreed that the Danaë poesia is not the Prado version but the Wellington example. The image is shared by Wikimedia.
2
masterpiece
1554 Venus and Adonis
Prado
The second poesia is a Venus and Adonis painted by Titian in 1554. Titian explained in a letter to prince Philip that the two paintings would offer contrasting front and rear views of a nude Venus, thus allowing painting to compete with sculpture
It is considered by most experts that the Philip II painting is the 186 x 207 cm example kept at the Prado.
As for the Danaë, the artist was inspired by an earlier version. He added the raised head of a third dog, displayed a Cupid sleeping instead of watchful and changed the attitude of the loving Adonis from embracing the goddess to holding a spear for his hunt.
The love story of the goddess Venus and the handsome mortal Adonis was narrated in Ovid's Metamorphoses. Titian made of it a very dynamic expression of desire and death. A seated Venus viewed from back side in full nudity is catching her lover to prevent him to go hunting. The unwavering young man will not accept despite his loving gaze. The dogs strain at their leashes in impatience. Ovid had not considered that poignant moment.
This composition evokes also the very end of the story with Venus arriving in her chariot in the sky too late to save the dying hunter. These two stages are processed in very different styles, sharp and brightly colored for the parting of the lovers and the start to the hunt, and ethereal in the sky.
The twisted body of the goddess is inspired from an antique relief, providing a great sense of energy and movement. This piece appeared in due course to observers in period as the most erotic of the poesie series.
It is considered by most experts that the Philip II painting is the 186 x 207 cm example kept at the Prado.
As for the Danaë, the artist was inspired by an earlier version. He added the raised head of a third dog, displayed a Cupid sleeping instead of watchful and changed the attitude of the loving Adonis from embracing the goddess to holding a spear for his hunt.
The love story of the goddess Venus and the handsome mortal Adonis was narrated in Ovid's Metamorphoses. Titian made of it a very dynamic expression of desire and death. A seated Venus viewed from back side in full nudity is catching her lover to prevent him to go hunting. The unwavering young man will not accept despite his loving gaze. The dogs strain at their leashes in impatience. Ovid had not considered that poignant moment.
This composition evokes also the very end of the story with Venus arriving in her chariot in the sky too late to save the dying hunter. These two stages are processed in very different styles, sharp and brightly colored for the parting of the lovers and the start to the hunt, and ethereal in the sky.
The twisted body of the goddess is inspired from an antique relief, providing a great sense of energy and movement. This piece appeared in due course to observers in period as the most erotic of the poesie series.
1555-1557
2022 for sale on December 7 by Sotheby's
The Venus and Adonis stirred the interest of the Spanish court. Titian prepared several replicas, some of them autograph.
One of the replicas, oil on canvas 177 x 200 cm, has the additional refinement in the background of the presence of the killing wild boar. It makes this version the only one to provide a more complete narration of the story. Another difference is a drapery added over Adonis's shoulder. Near Cupid a pair of doves repeat the parting scene. A 1559 engraving reformated upright is consistent with these details.
This painting have significant similarities in its preparation with the Queen Christina example sold for £ 7.5M by Christie's on December 13, 1991, lot 85, and both have certainly been prepared in parallel around 1555-1557.
Identifying a provenance is difficult because early owners enjoyed to hang several examples on their walls. A nephew of Pope Innocent XI had twelve examples. This replica is supposed to come from the Austrian general Eugene of Savoy and later from Benjamin West, the history painter of King George III.
Attributed to Titian and workshop but considered as autograph after a recent inspection, it is estimated £ 8M for sale by Sotheby's on December 7, 2022, lot 6. Please watch the video shared by the auction house. The image is shared by Wikimedia.
One of the replicas, oil on canvas 177 x 200 cm, has the additional refinement in the background of the presence of the killing wild boar. It makes this version the only one to provide a more complete narration of the story. Another difference is a drapery added over Adonis's shoulder. Near Cupid a pair of doves repeat the parting scene. A 1559 engraving reformated upright is consistent with these details.
This painting have significant similarities in its preparation with the Queen Christina example sold for £ 7.5M by Christie's on December 13, 1991, lot 85, and both have certainly been prepared in parallel around 1555-1557.
Identifying a provenance is difficult because early owners enjoyed to hang several examples on their walls. A nephew of Pope Innocent XI had twelve examples. This replica is supposed to come from the Austrian general Eugene of Savoy and later from Benjamin West, the history painter of King George III.
Attributed to Titian and workshop but considered as autograph after a recent inspection, it is estimated £ 8M for sale by Sotheby's on December 7, 2022, lot 6. Please watch the video shared by the auction house. The image is shared by Wikimedia.
3
1555-1560 (so dated by the J. Paul Getty Museum)
1991 SOLD for £ 7.5M (worth US $ 13.6M) by Christie's
Another oil on canvas 160 x 200 cm of Venus and Adonis attributed to Titian and workshop was sold for £ 7.5M, worth at that time US $ 13.6M, by Christie's on December 13, 1991, lot 85. The image is shared by Wikimedia.
This painting have significant similarities in its preparation with the Prince Eugene example, and both have certainly been prepared in parallel. They both have the drapery over Adonis's shoulder.
It later had a royal provenance including Queen Christina of Sweden and the ducs d'Orléans. It is dated about 1555-1560 by the J. Paul Getty Museum which acquired it in 1992 and considers it as autograph.
This example does not have the boar nor the parting scene of the doves.
This painting have significant similarities in its preparation with the Prince Eugene example, and both have certainly been prepared in parallel. They both have the drapery over Adonis's shoulder.
It later had a royal provenance including Queen Christina of Sweden and the ducs d'Orléans. It is dated about 1555-1560 by the J. Paul Getty Museum which acquired it in 1992 and considers it as autograph.
This example does not have the boar nor the parting scene of the doves.
later 1550s Penitent Magdalene by Titian
2022 SOLD for € 4.8M by Dorotheum
Titian painted on commissions the figure of the Maddalena penitente over four decades. A lost example with a royal provenance has just resurfaced. It had been in the collection of Queen Christina of Sweden, probably acquired by her from the Holy Roman emperors, and has not been seen after an auction in 1859 where it was correctly identified as by Titian.
It may be dated from the later 1550s. This figure with draped breasts has lost the titillating effect of the bare breasted original made ca 1531 for the duke of Urbino. The book and the skull are symbolizing the mortality of both the saint and the viewer. The landscape may refer to the hermitage of her solitary retirement in Provence according to a medieval legend.
The contemplating expression with tears in the eyes does not reach the mystic ecstasy of some later versions, one of which was sold for $ 4.5M by Sotheby's on January 25, 2008, lot 117.
This oil on canvas 115 x 97 cm was sold for € 4.8M from a lower estimate of € 1M by Dorotheum on May 11, 2022, lot 32. The pentimenti observed in X Ray and Infra Red demonstrate the great care brought by the artist in his autograph replicas, even when he copied from a paper master model.
Please watch the video shared by the auction house.
It may be dated from the later 1550s. This figure with draped breasts has lost the titillating effect of the bare breasted original made ca 1531 for the duke of Urbino. The book and the skull are symbolizing the mortality of both the saint and the viewer. The landscape may refer to the hermitage of her solitary retirement in Provence according to a medieval legend.
The contemplating expression with tears in the eyes does not reach the mystic ecstasy of some later versions, one of which was sold for $ 4.5M by Sotheby's on January 25, 2008, lot 117.
This oil on canvas 115 x 97 cm was sold for € 4.8M from a lower estimate of € 1M by Dorotheum on May 11, 2022, lot 32. The pentimenti observed in X Ray and Infra Red demonstrate the great care brought by the artist in his autograph replicas, even when he copied from a paper master model.
Please watch the video shared by the auction house.
This incredible painting was created by non-other than Tiziano Vecellio, called Titian, and shows ‘The Penitent Magdalen’. The painting is included in our Old Master Paintings Auction on 11 May.
— dorotheum (@dorotheum) April 13, 2022
Learn more about this painting in our blog:https://t.co/gHYZh8G8En pic.twitter.com/2rDCR1YAfl
1560 Quiet Mysticism of Titian
2011 SOLD 16.9 M$ including premium
In the later Renaissance, it is difficult to imagine a more complete painter than Titian. His great mythological or religious scenes offer the full range of psychological expression from violence to peace.
At the end of his life, his creativity is much alive, but he has nothing more to prove to increase his fame. Painter of sensuality and characters, he became the painter of the passions.
Circa 1560, he painted A Sacra Conversazione, also known as the Mystical Marriage of St. Catherine. We really catch the intelligence being transferred between the Child Jesus, held by his mother, and Catherine of Alexandria. The Child is active and friendly, Catherine is serious and focused, the Madonna encourages the movement of Jesus. St Luke, standing, is carefully watching.
This large painting on canvas, 128 x 170 cm, is estimated $ 15M, for sale at Sotheby's in New York on January 27. It is illustrated on the press release shared by Artdaily.
There is no doubt about the importance of this work. Already in the 1620s, it had the honor to draw the attention of Van Dyck, who made a sketch of it in a notebook now preserved at the British Museum.
POST SALE COMMENT
As expected, this beautiful Titian dominated the week of ancient art sales in New York. Sold $ 16.9 million including premium, it does not, however, exceed its estimate.
I invite you to play the video shared on the web by Sotheby's. The image is shared by Wikimedia.
At the end of his life, his creativity is much alive, but he has nothing more to prove to increase his fame. Painter of sensuality and characters, he became the painter of the passions.
Circa 1560, he painted A Sacra Conversazione, also known as the Mystical Marriage of St. Catherine. We really catch the intelligence being transferred between the Child Jesus, held by his mother, and Catherine of Alexandria. The Child is active and friendly, Catherine is serious and focused, the Madonna encourages the movement of Jesus. St Luke, standing, is carefully watching.
This large painting on canvas, 128 x 170 cm, is estimated $ 15M, for sale at Sotheby's in New York on January 27. It is illustrated on the press release shared by Artdaily.
There is no doubt about the importance of this work. Already in the 1620s, it had the honor to draw the attention of Van Dyck, who made a sketch of it in a notebook now preserved at the British Museum.
POST SALE COMMENT
As expected, this beautiful Titian dominated the week of ancient art sales in New York. Sold $ 16.9 million including premium, it does not, however, exceed its estimate.
I invite you to play the video shared on the web by Sotheby's. The image is shared by Wikimedia.
1562-1563 An Artist's Studio in the Village
2014 SOLD 8.9 M$ including premium
Born in Vicenza, Francesco da Ponte was trained in Venice where he perhaps met Bellini. He soon opened his artist's studio in the village of Bassano, 65 km away from Venice, where he observed the peasants.
His son Jacopo, known as Jacopo Bassano, succeeded him. Making frequent visits to Venice, he assimilated the mannerist expression of emotions while maintaining a realistic observation of peasants, animals and landscapes.
Christian scenes painted by Jacopo are lively and sensitive representations of life in his village. The Adoration of the Shepherds is a perfect theme for this peasant painter.
A large oil on canvas, 72 x 112 cm, in excellent condition, is estimated $ 8M for sale on January 29 in New York at Christie's. It was painted in 1562 or 1563. On the same date in Venice, Veronese painted the Wedding at Cana. The outstanding place offered by Veronese to Jacopo in his monumental painting demonstrates that the art of the villager was well received in the city of the Doges.
Jacopo is contemporary of another peasant painter whom he probably could not know: Pieter Bruegel. Bassano and Bruegel have another common history: their sons succeeded them, using their images as trademarks for their workshops during several decades.
POST SALE COMMENT
Great result for this rare artwork from an outstanding master : $ 8.9M including premium, in line with the estimate.
His son Jacopo, known as Jacopo Bassano, succeeded him. Making frequent visits to Venice, he assimilated the mannerist expression of emotions while maintaining a realistic observation of peasants, animals and landscapes.
Christian scenes painted by Jacopo are lively and sensitive representations of life in his village. The Adoration of the Shepherds is a perfect theme for this peasant painter.
A large oil on canvas, 72 x 112 cm, in excellent condition, is estimated $ 8M for sale on January 29 in New York at Christie's. It was painted in 1562 or 1563. On the same date in Venice, Veronese painted the Wedding at Cana. The outstanding place offered by Veronese to Jacopo in his monumental painting demonstrates that the art of the villager was well received in the city of the Doges.
Jacopo is contemporary of another peasant painter whom he probably could not know: Pieter Bruegel. Bassano and Bruegel have another common history: their sons succeeded them, using their images as trademarks for their workshops during several decades.
POST SALE COMMENT
Great result for this rare artwork from an outstanding master : $ 8.9M including premium, in line with the estimate.
1562-1567 Two volumes from the Yongle Dadian
2020 SOLD for € 8.1M including premium by Beaussant Lefèvre
narrated post sale in 2020
The Yongle emperor of the Ming was extremely active from his raise to power, particularly in matters of diplomacy and religion. In 1404 CE he commissioned the compilation of all knowledge. More than 2,000 scholars travel the whole China to find the sources.
The job is completed in just five years. The set includes nearly 23,000 scrolls placed in 11,000 volumes, occupying approximately 30 cubic meters. The number of Chinese characters is estimated at 370 million, corresponding to approximately 250 million words in Latin script. Satisfied with his participation to preserve culture, the emperor attributes to this compilation his own reign name : the Great Canon of Yongle, or Yongle Dadian.
The Yongle Dadian is too huge to consider an edition. In 1557, this still unique set barely escapes a fire that destroys three palaces in the Forbidden City. The Jiajing emperor, aware of the risk of losing this invaluable cultural treasure, orders to take a copy, in the form of 50 x 30 cm albums matching the original volumes and chapters. This work is carried out from 1562 to 1567 CE.
No one will ever hear of the original scrolls again. The copy existed until the Opium Wars. It suffered fires and depredations, and only 400 albums survive, which are 3.5% of the original set.
A lot made of two volumes was sold for € 8.1M including premium by Beaussant Lefèvre at Drouot on July 7, 2020. The respective themes are the geography of the lakes of China and a description of funeral rites. Wear, stains and accidents were announced in the catalog.
The job is completed in just five years. The set includes nearly 23,000 scrolls placed in 11,000 volumes, occupying approximately 30 cubic meters. The number of Chinese characters is estimated at 370 million, corresponding to approximately 250 million words in Latin script. Satisfied with his participation to preserve culture, the emperor attributes to this compilation his own reign name : the Great Canon of Yongle, or Yongle Dadian.
The Yongle Dadian is too huge to consider an edition. In 1557, this still unique set barely escapes a fire that destroys three palaces in the Forbidden City. The Jiajing emperor, aware of the risk of losing this invaluable cultural treasure, orders to take a copy, in the form of 50 x 30 cm albums matching the original volumes and chapters. This work is carried out from 1562 to 1567 CE.
No one will ever hear of the original scrolls again. The copy existed until the Opium Wars. It suffered fires and depredations, and only 400 albums survive, which are 3.5% of the original set.
A lot made of two volumes was sold for € 8.1M including premium by Beaussant Lefèvre at Drouot on July 7, 2020. The respective themes are the geography of the lakes of China and a description of funeral rites. Wear, stains and accidents were announced in the catalog.
8 128 000€ frais compris pour les deux rares albums Yongle Dadian dédié à la géographie des lacs de la Chine et aux rites funéraires. @Drouot pic.twitter.com/yjyUvWWXlf
— BEAUSSANT LEFEVRE (@BeaussantL) July 7, 2020
after 1565 Penitent Magdalene by Titian
2008 SOLD for $ 4.5M including premium by Sotheby's
narrated in 2021
Titian painted his first Penitent Magdalene ca 1531 on a commission from the Duke of Urbino. The theme is exemplary : a young woman who suddenly and definitively passes from vice to virtue through Christian enlightenment.
Magdalene is a robust woman, who instinctively hides her nudity by wrapping her hair around her neck. The first picture is sensual, as if the artist wanted her change of life to cause pity.
She is modeled from a Venus Pudica with her prayerful upward hair and the long hair that wraps the shoulders.
Titian will rework this theme regularly, making small improvements in the symbols and in the surrounding landscape.
An oil on panel 110 x 78 cm appears as a synthesis of these variants, with all the pictorial qualities of the later phase of the artist's career. It may be later than the 1565 version kept at the Hermitage Museum.
The gestures have not changed but the saint has dressed : the nudity of her breasts no longer tickles the old artist. The half-open mouth more explicitly marks an ecstasy, reinforced by the dripping tears. The landscape has become very dark but the light in the sky is mystical.
The wood panel is rarely used by Titian in that period. It is perhaps a reminiscence of the technique of his original Urbino Magdalene, thirty years earlier.
This painting was sold for $ 4.5M including premium by Sotheby's on January 25, 2008, lot 117.
Magdalene is a robust woman, who instinctively hides her nudity by wrapping her hair around her neck. The first picture is sensual, as if the artist wanted her change of life to cause pity.
She is modeled from a Venus Pudica with her prayerful upward hair and the long hair that wraps the shoulders.
Titian will rework this theme regularly, making small improvements in the symbols and in the surrounding landscape.
An oil on panel 110 x 78 cm appears as a synthesis of these variants, with all the pictorial qualities of the later phase of the artist's career. It may be later than the 1565 version kept at the Hermitage Museum.
The gestures have not changed but the saint has dressed : the nudity of her breasts no longer tickles the old artist. The half-open mouth more explicitly marks an ecstasy, reinforced by the dripping tears. The landscape has become very dark but the light in the sky is mystical.
The wood panel is rarely used by Titian in that period. It is perhaps a reminiscence of the technique of his original Urbino Magdalene, thirty years earlier.
This painting was sold for $ 4.5M including premium by Sotheby's on January 25, 2008, lot 117.
