Luca Giordano
(Naples 1634–1705)
Prometheus,
oil on canvas, 110 x 87 cm, framed
Provenance:
Private European collection
We are grateful to Stefano Causa for suggesting the attribution of the present painting to Luca Giordano (written communication).
This previously unpublished painting is a significant addition to Luca Giordano’s corpus of works. Dating to the early years of the painter’s career of the mid-1660s, this representation of Prometheus relates to the work of Caravaggio. While it is most likely based on studies from life, the painting remains, at the same time, a vivid example of Giordano’s interest in the antique: the contorted pose of Prometheus derives from the celebrated Laocoon-Group, that was discovered during excavations in Rome in 1506.
There exists another, slightly larger version of the composition in the National Gallery of Slovenia, Ljubljana, which was formerly attributed to Ribera, until it was restored to Giordano by Federico Zeri in 1992 (inv. no. NGS2017, 124 x 99 cm). Two further versions are conserved in the Museum of Fine Arts, Budapest (inv. no. 92.6) and in the National Gallery, Warsaw (acc. no. M.Ob.308, 73.5 x 160 cm) which depicts Prometheus full-length.
Specialist: Mark MacDonnell
Mark MacDonnell
+43 1 515 60 403
mark.macdonnell@dorotheum.at
10.11.2022 - 17:43
- Estimate:
-
EUR 40,000.- to EUR 60,000.-
- Starting bid:
-
EUR 40,000.-
Luca Giordano
(Naples 1634–1705)
Prometheus,
oil on canvas, 110 x 87 cm, framed
Provenance:
Private European collection
We are grateful to Stefano Causa for suggesting the attribution of the present painting to Luca Giordano (written communication).
This previously unpublished painting is a significant addition to Luca Giordano’s corpus of works. Dating to the early years of the painter’s career of the mid-1660s, this representation of Prometheus relates to the work of Caravaggio. While it is most likely based on studies from life, the painting remains, at the same time, a vivid example of Giordano’s interest in the antique: the contorted pose of Prometheus derives from the celebrated Laocoon-Group, that was discovered during excavations in Rome in 1506.
There exists another, slightly larger version of the composition in the National Gallery of Slovenia, Ljubljana, which was formerly attributed to Ribera, until it was restored to Giordano by Federico Zeri in 1992 (inv. no. NGS2017, 124 x 99 cm). Two further versions are conserved in the Museum of Fine Arts, Budapest (inv. no. 92.6) and in the National Gallery, Warsaw (acc. no. M.Ob.308, 73.5 x 160 cm) which depicts Prometheus full-length.
Specialist: Mark MacDonnell
Mark MacDonnell
+43 1 515 60 403
mark.macdonnell@dorotheum.at
|
Buyers hotline
Mon.-Fri.: 10.00am - 5.00pm
old.masters@dorotheum.at +43 1 515 60 403 |
| Auction: | Old Master Paintings II |
| Auction type: | Online auction |
| Date: | 10.11.2022 - 17:43 |
| Location: | Vienna | Palais Dorotheum |
| Exhibition: | 22.10. - 09.11.2022 |