Smoking Vulcano Painting

It is done on paperboard. Not sure of the medium, gouache maybe?
Signed Gatta f.? Origin, Italian maybe?
Any thoughts?
Thanks

 

Vesuvius or Krakatoa?

 

A copy of the 3rd image here (or a copy of the original painting if that print was based on one):

http://www.uh.edu/engines/epi2816.htm

Could be a grand tour souvenir.

 

Vesuvius had a major eruption on 15 June 1794 which certainly inspired this 1795 image.

 

Is it possible the artist to be
Xavier Della Gatta (1758-1828) ?

https://volcanism.wordpress.com/200...xavier-della-gatta-eruption-of-vesuvius-1794/

Not sure what the "f." stands for but seems like the artist did sign this way, "Gatta f." and followed by year of creation.


http://www.christies.com/lotfinder/paintings/saverio-della-gatta-a-set-of-5488587-details.aspx

 

I'd say your link certainly shows the original. The engraving in the link I showed earlier would seem to be that commissioned by Sir William Hamilton from Xavier della Gatta. Each of the works - yours, the engraving, and the one in your link - is distinct but share many commonalities. It's possible yours is another version from the same artist - especially if Gatta f. stands for Gatta fecit.

 

Here's the Gatta image next to your painting (on the right). Unless someone did an excellent copy, they sure do look like they're works by the same artist.



Great find, Kard!

 

I wonder if I should Ebay this or ask an auction house first and if the second, which one?

 

Looks like his works have yielded great results at auction houses, including three auctions this year...

http://www.findartinfo.com/english/list-prices-by-artist/34895/saverio-xavier-della-gatta.html

It looks like most of his highest-selling auctions were for works depicting Vesuvius erupting.

 

The January 2015 auctions were at Christie's in NYC. If I'm reading this correctly, the $118,750 result was for two paintings, one of which included a view of Vesuvius erupting.

http://www.christies.com/lotfinder/...lla-gatta-view-of-naples-5868619-details.aspx

This is exciting!

 

The "f." stands for "fatto" = "made" in Italian, or "made by". But artist could have meant "fecit" as already mentioned-was commonly used in Europe at that time.

 

The highest auction result I saw for one of Gatta's Vesuvius paintings was at Sotheby's Paris in 2009.

http://www.sothebys.com/en/auctions...nd-19th-century-drawings-and-paintings-pf9011

Kard, according to the auction results, it looks like you were right about your painting being gouache. Apparently he often worked in that medium.

 

I guess it won't hurt if I ask an auction house for an estimate. Mine piece by the way is a bit smaller, about 16" x 12".

 

It wouldn't surprise me if your painting is more desireable because of the drama of the scene, even if it's smaller.

Getting an expert opinion from an auction house sounds like a great idea.

 

Kard, please let us know whatever you find out!

 

Pat - I'm not seeing what you're seeing. As an artist, I'm seeing lots of differences. Definitely needs a hands-on appraisal.

 

Bev, what kind of differences?

 

The way in which the water is done & the shading on land.
I see these as very different.
IMO..

 

Here is a 1796 version. Composition closer to mine
signed and dated lower left
Gatta p.[inxit] 1796
Tempera and gouache on paper
29 7/8 x 21 1/4 in. (76 x 54 cm.)

page 16,
http://www.masterpaintingsweek.co.uk/sites/files/MPW_2011.pdf

Compared to mine

 

By the way, I enhanced the images a bit. I guess it is kindy tricky to judge by photos on internet.