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Mid-18th-century Italian School, Portrait of Saint Francis De Sales - Antique Oil Painting
Sold by Brave Fine Art
sold SA1090547
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Brave Fine Art

Brave Fine Art

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Mid-18th-century Italian School, Portrait of Saint Francis De Sales - Antique Oil Painting

18th century
Sold 13 February 2025 · Brave Fine Art
This “Mid-18th-century Italian School, Portrait of Saint Francis De Sales - Antique Oil Painting” found a buyer.

It was listed by Brave Fine Art. Sold pieces stay on Sellingantiques as a record of what has passed through, and the next one is rarely far away.

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Description

This mid-18th-century Italian oil painting depicts Saint Francis de Sales (1567-1622), Bishop of Geneva, in prayer. It was previously owned by Prior Ottmar Zwiebelhofer of the Benedictine Abbey in Ettenheimmünster, Germany and thence by descent through his family. Saint Francis de Sales is the patron of writers, journalists and teachers.

Born at Sales Castle in Savoy, France, as Francis Bonaventure, De Sales defended the Catholic doctrine amid a time of revolt and Reformation. As such, he’s considered one of the foremost figures of Christian theology. His father was of noble descent and expected him to take a bride and pursue a career as a magistrate. However, this sensitive, benevolent, intellectual, instead turned to God.

His writings included ‘Introduction to the Devout Life (1608)’ and ‘On Love of God’, which were designed to educate the aristocracy on how to exercise their faith by fulfilling their societal, and moral, obligations. He was a student of the Jesuits.

Regardless of your stance on religion, many of his quotes still resonate.

“Have no care for tomorrow. Think only of doing well today. And when tomorrow shall have become today, then we shall think about it.”

“For myself, I cannot approve the methods of those who try to reform a person by beginning with external things, such as bearings, dress or hair. On the contrary, it seems to me that we should begin inside.”

Held within a later frame.

Medium: Oil on canvas

Overall size: 28½” x 32½” / 72cm x 83cm

Year of creation: 1740

Labels & Inscriptions: Note on the reverse relating to previous ownership.

Provenance: Prior Ottmar Zwiebelhofer of the Benedictine Abbey of Ettenheimmünster / His family by descent.

Condition: Cleaned. Canvas relined. Later stretcher. Overpaint following old restorations. Areas of discolouration. Faint stretcher marks. Craquelure throughout. The paint layer is stable. Frame with various marks and showing its age.

Our reference: BRV1890

Date of Manufacture

Brave Fine Art has dated this Antique Oil Painting to the 1750s.

Physical Dimensions
Height
83cm (32.68")
Width
72cm (28.35")
Depth
5cm (1.97")
Reference Numbers
Sellingantiques Reference
SA1090547
Description
This mid-18th-century Italian oil painting depicts Saint Francis de Sales (1567-1622), Bishop of Geneva, in prayer.
“
It was previously owned by Prior Ottmar Zwiebelhofer of the Benedictine Abbey in Ettenheimmünster, Germany and thence by descent through his family.
Brave Fine Art

Saint Francis de Sales is the patron of writers, journalists and teachers.

fig 1. An antique oval oil painting depicting a clerical figure with folded hands, set within an ornate gilded wooden frame.
fig 1. Mid-18th-century Italian School, Portrait of Saint Francis De Sales - Antique Oil Painting

Born at Sales Castle in Savoy, France, as Francis Bonaventure, De Sales defended the Catholic doctrine amid a time of revolt and Reformation. As such, he’s considered one of the foremost figures of Christian theology. His father was of noble descent and expected him to take a bride and pursue a career as a magistrate. However, this sensitive, benevolent, intellectual, instead turned to God.

fig 2. An antique oval oil painting depicting a clerical figure with folded hands, set within an ornate gilded wooden frame.
fig 2. Mid-18th-century Italian School, Portrait of Saint Francis De Sales - Antique Oil Painting

His writings included ‘Introduction to the Devout Life (1608)’ and ‘On Love of God’, which were designed to educate the aristocracy on how to exercise their faith by fulfilling their societal, and moral, obligations. He was a student of the Jesuits.

fig 3. An antique oval oil painting depicting a clerical figure with folded hands, set within an ornate gilded wooden frame.
fig 3. Mid-18th-century Italian School, Portrait of Saint Francis De Sales - Antique Oil Painting

Regardless of your stance on religion, many of his quotes still resonate.

“Have no care for tomorrow. Think only of doing well today. And when tomorrow shall have become today, then we shall think about it.”

fig 4. An antique oval oil painting depicting a clerical figure with folded hands, set within an ornate gilded wooden frame.
fig 4. Mid-18th-century Italian School, Portrait of Saint Francis De Sales - Antique Oil Painting

“For myself, I cannot approve the methods of those who try to reform a person by beginning with external things, such as bearings, dress or hair. On the contrary, it seems to me that we should begin inside.”

fig 5. An antique oval oil painting depicting a clerical figure with folded hands, set within an ornate gilded wooden frame.
fig 5. Mid-18th-century Italian School, Portrait of Saint Francis De Sales - Antique Oil Painting

Held within a later frame.

Medium: Oil on canvas

Overall size: 28½” x 32½” / 72cm x 83cm

Year of creation: 1740

Labels & Inscriptions: Note on the reverse relating to previous ownership.

Provenance: Prior Ottmar Zwiebelhofer of the Benedictine Abbey of Ettenheimmünster / His family by descent.

fig 6. An antique oval oil painting depicting a clerical figure with folded hands, set within an ornate gilded wooden frame.
fig 6. Mid-18th-century Italian School, Portrait of Saint Francis De Sales - Antique Oil Painting

Condition: Cleaned. Canvas relined. Later stretcher. Overpaint following old restorations. Areas of discolouration. Faint stretcher marks. Craquelure throughout. The paint layer is stable. Frame with various marks and showing its age.

Our reference: BRV1890

Date of Manufacture

Brave Fine Art has dated this Antique Oil Painting to the 1750s.

Height
83cm (32.68")
Width
72cm (28.35")
Depth
5cm (1.97")
Reference Numbers
Sellingantiques Ref
SA1090547
Brave Fine Art
Brave Fine Art
Sellingantiques verified Since Nov 2018

Exquisite antique paintings that capture the imagination.

Dealer Profile

You can view the stock and full dealer information on the Brave Fine Art Profile Page

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An antique oval oil painting depicting a clerical figure with folded hands, set within an ornate gilded wooden frame. SOLD6+ MONTHS AGO
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Archive I An antique oval oil painting depicting a clerical figure with folded hands, set within an ornate gilded wooden frame. SOLD6+ MONTHS AGO

Mid-18th-century Italian School, Portrait of Saint Francis De Sales - Antique Oil Painting

Archive II An antique oval oil painting depicting a clerical figure with folded hands, set within an ornate gilded wooden frame. View II
Archive III An antique oval oil painting depicting a clerical figure with folded hands, set within an ornate gilded wooden frame. View III
Archive IV An antique oval oil painting depicting a clerical figure with folded hands, set within an ornate gilded wooden frame. View IV
Archive V An antique oval oil painting depicting a clerical figure with folded hands, set within an ornate gilded wooden frame. View V
Archive VI An antique oval oil painting depicting a clerical figure with folded hands, set within an ornate gilded wooden frame. View VI
Archive VII An antique oval oil painting depicting a clerical figure with folded hands, set within an ornate gilded wooden frame. View VII
Archive VIII An antique oval oil painting depicting a clerical figure with folded hands, set within an ornate gilded wooden frame. View VIII
Archive IX An antique oval oil painting depicting a clerical figure with folded hands, set within an ornate gilded wooden frame. View IX
Archive X An antique oval oil painting depicting a clerical figure with folded hands, set within an ornate gilded wooden frame. View X
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Brave Fine Art

Brave Fine Art
Telephone 01684 215986
Location
21 Enterprise Way
Arle Road
Cheltenham
Cotswolds
GL51 8LZ
United Kingdom

Under appointment only.
Dealer Profile Page sellingantiques.co.uk/bravefineart
Verified Since Nov 2018
Items For Sale 76
Items Sold 1,853
Brave Fine Art
Brave Fine Art
Verified Since Nov 2018
View Dealer Info
Location: 21 Enterprise Way, Arle Road, Cheltenham, Cotswolds, GL51 8LZ, United Kingdom, , Under appointment only.
Profile: sellingantiques.co.uk/bravefineart
Verified
Nov 2018
For Sale
76
Sold
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An antique oval oil painting depicting a clerical figure with folded hands, set within an ornate gilded wooden frame.
Mid-18th-Century Italian School, Portrait Of Saint Francis De Sales - Antique Oil Painting
Ref: SA1090547
An antique oval oil painting depicting a clerical figure with folded hands, set within an ornate gilded wooden frame.
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Cataloguer’s note

Written by Sellingantiques from the dealer’s photographs and listing
  • ObjectFine Art Paintings
  • Period18th century
  • Style18th Century Italian
  • MaterialOil paint, Linen canvas, Gilded wood
  • ColourMuted Brown and Gold
  • MotifsOval canvas composition, Gilded carved frame, Clerical vestments
  • SizeH 83 cm (33 in) x W 72 cm (28 in) x D 5 cm (2 in)

FAQs

Eighteenth-century Italian portraiture often focuses on religious or noble subjects, characterised by dramatic chiaroscuro lighting, naturalistic facial expressions, and detailed renderings of textiles and vestments within an oval composition.

Artists of this period typically used oil paint applied in thin layers and glazes over a linen canvas, stretched on a wooden frame, and housed within hand-carved, gilded wooden surrounds.

Authenticity is determined by examining the weave and age of the linen canvas, craquelure patterns in the oil paint layer under magnification, and the construction methods, tool marks, and gesso application on the accompanying antique frame.

Placing a historical painting in a modern setting creates a striking focal point, particularly when hung against dark or neutral walls to highlight the depth and tonal qualities of the artwork.

Preservation requires hanging the canvas away from direct sunlight and heat sources, maintaining stable relative humidity levels, and cleaning only by a professional conservator using approved solvents.
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