Roman School, Circle of Giovanni Paolo Panini (1691-1765)
Artist: 18th Century Roman School, Circle of Giovanni Paolo Panini (1691-1765).
Title: The Ass and his Masters.
Medium: Pen, ink and wash on laid paper.
Framed Size: Height 36 cm x Width 3.5 cm x Depth 1.5 cm.
Sheet Size: Height 19.1 cm x Width 13.6 cm.
Condition: Good condition, sheet trimmed close to drawings margins, traces of prior mount verso.
Provenance: Private Collection Netherlands.
About: This classical drawing depicts a fable that appears in Greek sources. In it, an ass in the employment of the gardener complains to the king of the gods that he is not fed adequately. The Donkey requests a change of master, he is then transferred to a potter and prays for another change because the loads are so heavy. Finally, he passes to a tanner and regrets leaving his first employer. When slavery was common this fable was often applied to the dissatisfaction felt by slaves. This is a genre work that has historically been explored by artists frequently throughout Western Europe including 18th Century Rome.
The line and character of the work along with the architectural capriccio composition share a harmony with the attributed works of Giovanni Paolo Panini (1691 – 1765), who was a principal artist of 18th Century Rome. Panini was known for his vistas of the city and appreciation of antiquity. He is most famous for his interior of the Pantheon on behalf of Francesco Algarottii (1712-1764).
Artist: 18th Century Roman School, Circle of Giovanni Paolo Panini (1691-1765).
Title: The Ass and his Masters.
Medium: Pen, ink and wash on laid paper.
Framed Size: Height 36 cm x Width 3.5 cm x Depth 1.5 cm.
Sheet Size: Height 19.1 cm x Width 13.6 cm.
Condition: Good condition, sheet trimmed close to drawings margins, traces of prior mount verso.
Provenance: Private Collection Netherlands.
About: This classical drawing depicts a fable that appears in Greek sources. In it, an ass in the employment of the gardener complains to the king of the gods that he is not fed adequately. The Donkey requests a change of master, he is then transferred to a potter and prays for another change because the loads are so heavy. Finally, he passes to a tanner and regrets leaving his first employer. When slavery was common this fable was often applied to the dissatisfaction felt by slaves. This is a genre work that has historically been explored by artists frequently throughout Western Europe including 18th Century Rome.
The line and character of the work along with the architectural capriccio composition share a harmony with the attributed works of Giovanni Paolo Panini (1691 – 1765), who was a principal artist of 18th Century Rome. Panini was known for his vistas of the city and appreciation of antiquity. He is most famous for his interior of the Pantheon on behalf of Francesco Algarottii (1712-1764).
Artist: 18th Century Roman School, Circle of Giovanni Paolo Panini (1691-1765).
Title: The Ass and his Masters.
Medium: Pen, ink and wash on laid paper.
Framed Size: Height 36 cm x Width 3.5 cm x Depth 1.5 cm.
Sheet Size: Height 19.1 cm x Width 13.6 cm.
Condition: Good condition, sheet trimmed close to drawings margins, traces of prior mount verso.
Provenance: Private Collection Netherlands.
About: This classical drawing depicts a fable that appears in Greek sources. In it, an ass in the employment of the gardener complains to the king of the gods that he is not fed adequately. The Donkey requests a change of master, he is then transferred to a potter and prays for another change because the loads are so heavy. Finally, he passes to a tanner and regrets leaving his first employer. When slavery was common this fable was often applied to the dissatisfaction felt by slaves. This is a genre work that has historically been explored by artists frequently throughout Western Europe including 18th Century Rome.
The line and character of the work along with the architectural capriccio composition share a harmony with the attributed works of Giovanni Paolo Panini (1691 – 1765), who was a principal artist of 18th Century Rome. Panini was known for his vistas of the city and appreciation of antiquity. He is most famous for his interior of the Pantheon on behalf of Francesco Algarottii (1712-1764).