Alessandro Gioia's sophisticated, harmonious and elegant style of decoration and design are demonstrated by the beautiful interiors he created in his apartment in Palazzo Colonna in Rome. These interiors are characterised by a delicate balance of colours, textures, forms and light, and a subtle combination of old and new works of art, objects and furniture. Part of his genius is that these rooms, and many other spaces decorated by him, seem so natural, logical, effortless, but in fact every detail, every aspect is part of his invention. Each item is carefully chosen, interesting, charming or chic, and each blends into his interiors, forming an essential and logical part of the whole. His choices of furniture and works of art, especially those from his own apartment featured in this catalogue, are bold, eclectic and combine a number of styles and nationalities. In the predominately off-white apartment, there are fine examples of Italian and French 18th-century furniture, Chinese porcelain, sculpture and pictures. These are mixed with modern pieces, some designed by him, such as the exquisite white silk sofas and chairs edged with cognac silk velvet. Throughout his long and distinguished career as a decorator and designer, Alessandro Gioia has been known for this signature style, which gained him many important commissions and subsequently a position as designer for the House of Colony, where he was responsible for designs of fabrics and furniture. Always relying on his understanding and knowledge of historic interiors and works of art, Gioia created textile designs which were often based on historic documents but keeping modern comforts in mind. Other textiles he designed were entirely modern, but again with a sense of tradition and luxury. In his interiors Gioia combines silk, velvet, satin, cotton, chenille, wool, an almost endless choice of fabrics, resulting in a rich, layered atmosphere, both traditional and modern, comfortable and chic. Alessandro Gioia's collection encompasses many different periods and styles. His talent for creating beautiful and harmonious interiors is inspiring; his choices of works of art tantalising. The sale of his collection will offer collectors unique opportunities to obtain something from his beautiful world. Lo stile decorativo e di design di Alessandro Gioia risulta sofisticato, armonioso ed elegante, come dimostrato dai bellissimi interni creati per il suo appartamento in Palazzo Colonna a Roma. Questi interni sono caratterizzati da un delicato equilibrio di colori, consistenze, forme, luci e una sottile combinazione di vecchie e nuove opere d'arte, oggetti e mobili. La genialità di queste stanze, come molti altri spazi da lui decorati, sembrano cosi naturali, logiche e spontanee, ma in realtà, ogni dettaglio, ogni aspetto, fa parte di una sua invenzione. Ogni oggetto e' scelto attentamente: singolare, attraente o chic, ognuno si fonde con gli interni, formando un tutto essenziale e ragionato. Le sue scelte di mobili e opere d'arte, specialmente quelle per il proprio appartamento presenti in questo catalogo, sono audaci, eclettiche e uniscono un insieme di stili e nazionalità. In un appartartamento prevalentemente in bianco, ci sono pregiati esempi di mobili Italiani e Francesi del 18esimo secolo, porcellane Cinesi, sculture e dipinti. Questi, sono mischiati con pezzi moderni progettati da lui, come lo squisito sofa e sedie in seta bianca con bordo in velluto color cognac. Durante la sua lunga e illustre carriera come decoratore e designer, Alessandro Gioia e' stato noto per il tocco personale, che gli ha fatto ottenere diverse importanti commissioni e successivamente il ruolo di designer per la House of Colony, dove era responsabile per il design di mobili e tessuti. Sempre basandosi sulla sua comprensione e conoscenza di interni storici e opere d'arte, Gioia creo design di tessuti spesso basati su documenti storici, ma avendo in mente il confort moderno. Altri tessuti prodotti erano totalmente moderni, ma ancora con un senso di tradizione e lusso. Nei suoi interni, Gioia associa seta, velluto, raso, cotone, ciniglia, lana, quasi una scelta infinita di tessuti, che risulta in una ricca, stratificata atmosfera, insieme tradizionale e moderno, comodo ed elegante. La collezione di Alessandro Gioia include molti e differenti periodi e stili. Il suo talento per la creazione di interni bellissimi e armoniosi e' ispiratore; la sua scelta di opere d'arte stuzzicante. La vendita di questa collezione offe a collezionisti un opportunità unica di acquisire qualcosa del suo meraviglioso mondo.

Johann Melchior Wyrsch (Buochs, Nidwalden 1732-1798)

Portrait of a gentleman, full-length, his ring with the monogram 'ADR', holding a book, standing in a library before a draped green curtain, his hat and sword on an armchair and a cello leaning against a partly draped table beside, a park landscape beyond

Details

Johann Melchior Wyrsch (Buochs, Nidwalden 1732-1798)
Portrait of a gentleman, full-length, his ring with the monogram 'ADR', holding a book, standing in a library before a draped green curtain, his hat and sword on an armchair and a cello leaning against a partly draped table beside, a park landscape beyond
oil on canvas
36¾ x 24½ in. (93 x 62 cm.)
with inscription 'Peint à Besançon par Wyrsch 1774 agé de 26 ans' (on the canvas reverse)

Literature

M. Vogel, R. Helbling, M. Baltensperger et al., Johan Melchior Wyrsch, 1732-1798: Porträtist und Kirchenmaler, 'gepudert und geputzt', Stans and Basel, 1998, pp. 159 and 164 note 23, fig. 4.

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Lot Essay

Johan Melchior Wyrsch studied in Lucerne and Rome, his portrait style not uninfluenced by that of Pompeo Batoni. He settling in Besançon in 1768, where he opened an art school in partnership with his friend, the sculptor Luc Breton. His portraits are characterised by a strength of handling and at times a playful, dramatic air, and are represented in the Musée d'art et d'archéologie in Besançon and the Louvre, Paris. Another portrait of a military figure from Franche-Comt is that of the celebrated engineer and general Jean Le Michaud d'Arçon (Pontarlier, Hôtel de Ville).

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