Description

Fabio Canal attr. (1703-1767). Ink and wash drawing on heavy paper depicting three winged and air-borne figures, one playing a horn. The drawing paper is mounted to another sheet which in turn is attached to an elaborately decorated French-style presentation mat. Note: the work was found in a gilt frame with a label of A.P.F., Inc. Framemakers & Conservators, NYC; however, the matted drawing is now removed from the frame and is preserved in an acid-free paper; it is being sold without the frame, but with the backing board bearing with the framer’s label and other markings. Mat ca. 17 ¼” x 10 ½”, drawing ca. 12 ½” x 5 ½”. Shows wear consistent with age (18th century) and having been displayed and handled. Drawing labeled on the back in German using pencil. Please carefully consult all photographs which constitute an important part of the description and are critical to understanding this piece which is being sold as found. Attributed to Fabio Canal, the late Baroque Venetian painter of historical and sacred subjects. A student of Giovanni Battista Tiepolo (1696-1770), Canal was a founding member of the Academy of Fine Arts of Venice. Drawings by and attributed to Fabio Canal are very rarely available, but are found in international collections including the British Museum (London) and the Morgan Library & Museum (NYC). For two drawings including figures comparable to those in the drawing offered here see the SMK Open, the award-winning website of the Statens Museum for Kunst, Copenhagen, Denmark’s national museum, which features Canal’s “Aurora in the clouds,” ca. 9” x 14 ¼”, acquired by them in 1873 and Canal’s “Studies for the head of Christ and angels,” ca. 10 ¼” x 14 ½”, acquired by them in 1887. Related drawings by Canal can also be seen in Anna Spera’s important thesis, L’opera grafica di Fabio Canal: disegni, studi e bozzetti. Universita Ca ‘Foscari Venezia (Anno Accademico 2019/2020), which is available online. Item will be shipped by USPS Priority Mail. Returns not accepted.