Collectors enthuse over drawings offered by Katrin Bellinger at Colnaghi at Le Salon du dessin, Paris

31 mars 2010

Collectors enthuse over drawings offered by Katrin Bellinger at Colnaghi at Le Salon du dessin, Paris

Simone Cantarini (1612-1648), Jupiter, Neptune and Pluto Paying Homage to the Borghese Coat of Arms, Red chalk, 295 x 430 mm. Sold to a US collector (asking price € 85,000)

Katrin Bellinger was delighted with the number of important works on paper sold at Le Salon du dessin in Paris, from 23 to 29 March 2010. A red chalk drawing of Jupiter, Neptune and Pluto Paying Homage to the Borghese Coat of Arms, masterfully executed with the fluidity and facility so typical of Simone Cantarini (1612-1648), who trained in Guido Reni’s workshop at Bologna, was sold to a US collector (asking price € 85,000).

Another American private collector acquired a pen and ink drawing of Christ Nailed to the Cross, c. 1755/60, one of fourteen Stations of the Cross by Johann Wolfgang Baumgartner (1702-1761) (asking price €18,000). Baumgartner’s composition is infused with dramatic intensity and vitality, emphasizing the horror of the scene. Another violent end is depicted by Paolo Farinati (1524-1606) in The Death of Saint Sebastian. The unfortunate saint, having survived being shot with arrows, is shown being beaten to death by five men. This pen and ink drawing sold to a French collector (asking price € 95,000).

Among other works sold was a pen and brown ink and wash drawing of two warriors by Giovanni Francesco Barbieri, called Il Guercino (1591-1666), which has a distinguished provenance going back to the sale of the collection of Baron Dominique Vivant-Denon in Paris on 1 May 1826 (asking price € 95,000). Guercino is regarded as one of the most significant Italian artists of the Baroque period and is renowned for his fluent draughtsmanship and inventive approach to subject matter. A more peaceful scene of A Shepherd Resting, with Cattle and a Sheep by Nicolaes Pietersz. Berchem (1620-1683) sold to a French collector (asking price € 18,000). Berchem was among the most versatile artists of the Golden Age and is especially admired for such Italianate landscapes.

Katrin Bellinger, celebrating 25 years as a respected dealer in this field, said that she was encouraged to see so many private collectors at this year’s fair, and reported an increase in sales over the last two years, indicating confidence in the market.