Italian School

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Italian School
19th century
A Theater Curtain Representing the Glorification of Napoleon in Venice
1808
Pen and brown ink, with watercolor, on paper; ruled border in black ink.
14 x 16 3/8 inches (357 x 417 mm)
Gift of Mrs. Donald M. Oenslager, 1982.
1982.75:375
Notes: 

Watermark: stamp of "Leteres Revocavit Artes"
Napoleon is represented as riding in a shell drawn by two seahorses with the Piazza San Marco and the Doges Palace in the background. On an island in the foreground are four figures representing Music, Sculpture, Architecture, and Painting. In the upper left part of the drawing is a classical figure holding a shield inscribed "Napoleon" and accompanied by figures of Victory and Minerva. A scale is represented along the lower margin. At the lower left corner is the designer's stamp.

Inscription: 

Inscribed in pen and black ink at top, "Nec andairou[?] depuit, sed vive. Cie:"; also in pen and black ink, framing the scale at bottom, "Piedi Verneti".

Provenance: 
Walter Schatzki; acquired in 1955 by Donald M. Oenslager, New York.
Associated names: 

Schatzki, Walter, 1899-1983, former owner.
Oenslager, Donald, 1902-1975, former owner.

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