Domenico Piola drawing for design of church ceiling
by Domenico Piola (1627-1703) Pen and brown ink, grey wash, squared in graphite 7.2 x 10.4”, professionally matted and mounted in a modern antique-style frame Provenance: Private collection, The Hague (Dutch/Holland) Private collection, UK The present drawing is squared which made it possible for the design to be transmitted to larger scale. The composition suggests that it would have been intended for the decoration of a ceiling, probably for one of Genoa's many wonderful churches.
It was owned by a gentleman named Mike Riddick before me. It was owned by private collectors in the The Hague and the UK.
Auction House
Maybe
Dear Jesse,
Thank you for contacting Mearto with your appraisal inquiry. My sincere apologies for the day of the appraisal. Is there any written expertise or attribution by a known art historian?
With kind regards,
George
I’ve reached out to the antique dealer that had it before me to see what I can learn.
I received this email back.
“ Thanks for your note. I'm glad the drawing was well-received. Unfortunately, I don't have any further details about the drawing other than what was described in our listing. However, I do have some details concerning provenance.
I had acquired it from a younger London dealer specializing in Old Master Drawings (unfortunately, his name escapes me at the moment). Before him, it was with a private collector and dealer in The Hague and before him, a collector also in London.
I do believe the work is authentic in terms of age but I did not check the attribution with any specialists. Upon acquiring it, I trusted the former cataloging of earlier owners”
Without being authenticated does this drawing have value?
Is there any more information you need from me to determine a value?
Hello Jesse,
Thank you for your appraisal inquiry with Mearto. I apologize for the confusion and delay in your appraisal. The item presented appears to be an ink illustration attributed to Domenico Piola (Italian, 1627 - 1703), measuring 7.2 and 10.4 inches. The work appears to depict an allegorical scene of a bishop, putti, and angels. While the drawing is not signed or bear other identifying marks, it is best labeled attributed to the artist unless documentation can be produced. If you'd like to sell the work as by Piola, I'd suggest further authentication.
In today's market, a fair market value estimate for this drawing would fall in the range of $2,000 - 5,000 (USD). The estimate provided is based on recent auction estimates and results of other comparable drawings attributed to Piola in similar size. The estimate is contingent on a full condition report and its authenticity. Please note asking or dealer prices may vary. Thank you and please take care.
If I were to use the authentication services provided here, if it’s not Piola, would someone be able to point me on the direction of who drew it? It looks less like Piola and more like Lorenzo De Ferrari to me the more I look at it.
Hello Jesse,
The attribution to Lorenzo De Ferrari is very possible, as the two artists were related and worked in very similar styles. It is very common to label such works as "attributed to" an artist or "circle of" when the object is lacking a signature or documentary provenance. If the work is attributed to Lorenzo De Ferrari, rather than Domenico Piola, the estimated value would not differ much, if at all. Works attributed to both artists appear to result in comparable ranges.
That I know of, no.