Exceptional Antiques, Fine Art and Design Auction
Lot 177:
Umberto Giunti (1886-1970) Madonna and Child, Painted Fresco, Falsario in Calcinaccio (Siena Fresco Forger)
Description
A fresco painting of the Madonna and Child by the renowned Italian art forger Umberto Giunti (1886-1970), who was famously known by the pseudonym Il Falsario in Calcinaccio (the Counterfeiter in Plaster). The painting depicts a classic Madonna and Child composition, the Virgin Mary in a red gown with a dark blue cloak, cradling a seated infant Jesus on her lap with landscape in the background surrounded by a plaster border within a simple wood frame.
Giunti was a student of Icilio Federico Joni, another legendary Sienese forger. His moniker, Falsario in Calcinaccio, was coined by art historian Federico Zeri, who first identified his distinctive style of using real fresco fragments and antique plaster (calcinaccio) to create convincing Renaissance-style "fragments".
A note on the reverse reads Purchased in 1972 at a Newport estate sale at one of the mansions. It was said to have come from one of the mansions. It had a note attached to it that the gentleman the framed it for me had lost. It stated that it was a fresco that came from a church in Florence Italy that hast been destroyed, and was possibly painted by Sandro Botticelli.
Dimensions: 18.5 H x 13.5 W x 2 inches deep.
Condition report:
This sale is made without warranty whatsoever at the sole risk and peril of the buyer. ALL SALES ARE FINAL. Cette vente se fait sans aucune garantie, aux risques et périls de l\'acheteur. Toute vente est définitive. IT IS THE RESPONSIBILITY OF THE BUYER TO VERIFY THE CONDITION AND/OR AUTHENTICITY OF THE ITEM, EITHER IN PERSON DURING OUR VIEWING HOURS PRIOR TO AUCTION OR THROUGH REQUESTED CONDITION REPORTS. Although care is taken to photograph and describe the item, absence of a condition report does not imply perfect condition. All bids are final and are subject to our terms and conditions.
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