Westcoast Fine Art has dated this piece to the 19th Century.
Title: Baby Jesus, Infant St John and Cherubs
Medium: Oil on Canvas
Dated 1886
Galleria di Firenze. 1886. Studio piazza Pitti. No 16 Firenze."
Held in its beautiful original Italian gilt frame
Overall measurements are 65cm x 57cm x 4 cm with the painting itself measuring 43cm x 52cm, (at sight)
Further provenance Label to reverse for C.Tayler and Co. - Picture Frame Manufacturers and by way of a private London collection
Description:
"The Baby Jesus and the Infant Saint John" is a fine example of Dumini's work. Beautifully framed within an oval aperture, the oil on canvas depicts an infant Jesus blessing an infant John the Baptist while a number of angelic putti look on in wonder and admiration. The masterly quality of the painting is evident in the execution of the figures, each of which has a unique character and facial expression. The divine, ethereal atmosphere of the composition shows that the artist had an excellent understanding of colour, tone, and light. Further evidence of Dumini's skill is the life-like rendering of the bodies of each of the putti and the willowy, wispy character of the clouds. It is a stunning work by an artist at the height of his craft.
Biography:
Leopoldo Dumini (1825-1908) was an Italian artist who is well known for his copies of well-known paintings. His work is held in numerous collections including the British Royal Collection (The Royal Collection Trust) and the Statens Museum for Kunst.
The auction record for Dumini's work stands at $4,514 USD for Dante Alighieri, sold at Dorotheum, Vienna in 2016. Demand for Dumini's work remains strong with auction prices regularly exceeding the estimate. Another work, The Adoration of the Christ Child by Leopoldo Dumini (Italian, 1825-1908), after the original by Antonio da Correggio (Italian, 1489-1534) held in the Uffizi Gallery, Florence, was sold retail for £7,850.
Condition report: In good original condition. The painting has been held behind glass which has been removed to ensure safe transportation. There may be one tiny intervention for microscopic paint loss in one tiny area on one of the cherubs. There is minor abrasion to the left hand side central background, which is barely visible when hung at usual viewing distance, and feint craquelure throughout commensurate with the paintings antiquity. There are no patches to the verso and the paint surface is stable. The canvas tension is acceptable, but in our opinion the painting might benefit from a professional lining within the next 20-30 years due to natural thinning of the canvas. But it is fine as is. The paint surface is even and stable. The beautiful, original Italian gilt frame has been refurbished and is in good repaired condition and ready to hang. The frame is offered as a gift. (see notes)
Westcoast Fine Art has dated this piece to the 19th Century.
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Painting of the Baby Jesus and the Infant Saint John, Leopoldo Dumini (Italian, 1825-1908)
