The hours of the day and night

Details

Attributed to Michelangelo Maestri (Italian, d. 1812)
The hours of the day and night
Six inscribed with titles and 'Rafaele Sanzio Urbinate inv' and 'Raff. Sanz. Urb. inv.' and signed, dated and inscribed 'in Roma op. Mich. Angelo Maestri' and 'Michelangelo Maestri f. 1798' and 'Mich. Ang. Maestri f.', two with etched titles and inscriptions 'Raph. Sanz. Urb. inv.' and 'Romæ apud Maestri'
bodycolour over etched outlines
16 ¾ x 12 ¾ in. (42.7 x 32.2 cm.)
(12)Twelve in the lot

Provenance

By repute:
Robert Butcher; auction house unknown, 12 June 1845, lot 210, where purchased by John Barber Scott for £30.9, and by descent to his cousin
Samuel Scott, and to his niece
Hester Sarah Norton, and to her daughter
Hester Ethel Mann, and to her son
Brigadier C. D. Armstrong and to,
Mrs J. M. A. Mayo, and to her husband
Colonel E. John Mayo.

Brought to you by

Adrian Hume Sayer

ahumesayer@christies.com +44 (0)20 7389 2696

Lot Essay

Michelangelo Maestri is mainly known for his bodycolours that he based on the then only recently discovered wall frescos in Pompeii (lots 326, 327 and 328). The drawings, which are often over etched outlines, became very popular amongst travellers on their Grand Tour. Besides Roman frescos, the artist also drew inspiration from Renaissance artists such as Giulio Romano (circa 1499-1546) and Raphael Sanzio da Urbino (1483-1520). According to Maestri’s inscriptions on some of The hours of Day or Night (lot 333), they are based on works by Raphael, however, the originals are no longer known.

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