Daniel Katz Limited Masterpiece 2011 Gallery Information and Highlights Daniel Katz has been dealing in European sculpture since 1968 and is renowned for handling only the best. He blends the expertise of a connoisseur with the passion of a collector. He is proud to count the leading museums of the world among his clients, including The British Museum, The Rijksmuseum and The Metropolitan Museum of Art. The gallery operates from an 18th century townhouse in the heart of London s Mayfair. The Daniel Katz Gallery is delighted to participate at this year s Masterpiece London art fair. Among the treasures exhibited by the gallery will be a group of 17 th and 18 th century terracotta sculptures, such as a terracotta Head of Ceres by Joseph-Charles Marin. This magnificent bust was presented at the Salon of 1795. Taking the form of a herm, it echoes the artist s new Neo-classical aspirations, as he takes up an allegorical subject that has resonances with the iconography of the age of the Revolution. The young woman s face has been idealised à l antique but it is softened by her rich, flowing hair which is adorned with a crown of fruit and ears of corn. While Marin s small busts and statuettes of nymphs are well known and dispersed amongst museums and private collections, this type of bust in the shape of a herm and of large dimensions is very rare. We will also be showing a selection of Italian Renaissance and later bronzes. A highlight will be a striking reduction in bronze of the famous Antique Marcus Aurelius from the Piazza del Compidoglio by Rome s foremost bronze founder of the 17 th century, Orazio Albrizzi. Albrizzi collaborated with Bernini in Rome, as well as casting models after Antique and Renaissance sculptures on a large scale. Once in the collection of the Marchesi Spinola di Luigi in Genoa (for whom it may have been commissioned), there are no other known versions of this highly competent cast, signed and dated 1624; it demonstrates very finely detailed modelling and has a beautiful green patina which simulates ancient bronze. Slightly earlier is a 15 th century Florentine relief in stucco of the Madonna and Child in tender conversation. This Renaissance composition, showing an intimate psychological relationship, derives from Donatello s famous relief known as the Pazzi Madonna, which is in marble and resides in the Staatliche Museen in Berlin. It was identified by the Renaissance art historian Giorgio Vasari as being executed for the Pazzi family in Florence circa 1420-30 and being much loved as a source of inspiration for many sculptors. There are two other known examples of this composition, namely another polychrome stucco version which is in the Museo San Marco, Florence, and a painted stone version which is in the Museo Horne, also Florence. The gallery has expanded its interest and scope and in addition to fine sculpture will be showing a selection of 19 th and early 20 th century paintings by rare artists active in France, England, Germany and Scandinavia. Highlights include an exceptional painting by the Norwegian artist Peder Balke showing a view of Stockholm Harbour. Better known for his works on a smaller scale depicting natural phenomena such as wind and stormy seas, the present picture is on a massive scale and shows a beautifully calm and tranquil waterfront by
moonlight. Here we see Balke s characteristic quick and fluid brushstrokes depicting reflections in the water, illuminated under a serene but striking blue light. From the 20 th century the gallery will show a dynamic and stylish bronze figure of a Dancing Faun by Joseph Bernard, a piece which shows the artist s great interest in and mastery of the dancing human form. Bernard was intensely occupied with the theme of dance and dancers in 1920 s Paris, and would have been much influenced by the Ballets Russes which was regularly performing there during these years. A larger version of our Dancing Faun is in the Musée d Orsay, Paris. Selected Objects: Joseph Charles Marin Paris, 1759-1834 A bust of Ceres Terracotta 37.5 cm high
Florence, 15 th century Virgin and Child Painted stucco relief 88 x 57cm Peder Balke Helgøya, Norway, 1804-1887, Oslo View of Stockholm Harbour Oil on canvas glued to board 125 x 158 cm
Orazio Albrizzi Active Piacenza and Rome 1612-1651 Equestrian group of Marcus Aurelius Bronze Height: 73.7 cm, length 63.5 cm Signed and dated 1624 Provenance: Marchesi Spinola di Luigi, Genoa; Prince Trivulzio, Milan; Heim Gallery, London J Joseph Bernard Vienne, Isère, 1866 1931, Boulogne-sur-Seine Dancing faun Bronze 72 cm high Signed at the back of the integral base no. 6 J Bernard Valsuani stamp at the back of the base
For more information, please contact Tom Davies Daniel Katz Ltd, 13 Old Bond Street, London, W1S 4SX Tel: 020 7493 0688 email: tom@katz.co.uk www.katz.co.uk