Lot 277: Fedele Fischetti , Naples 1732 - 1792 The Madonna and Child with Saints Anthony of Padua and Januarius oil on canvas

oil on canvas

measurements note 30 1/4 by 19 3/8 in.; 76.9 by 49.2 cm.

The Royal House of Savoy, until circa 1945;
Anonymous sale, New York, Christie's, October 7, 1993, lot 5 (as by Pietro Bardellino);
Anonymous sale, London, Christie's, April 17, 2002, lot 106 (as by Fidele Fischetti);
Private Collection, Taiwan.

At the time of the 2002 Christie's sale, Riccardo Lattuada gave the attribution to the Neapolitan artist, Fidele Fischetti. He dated the picture to circa 1760, when the works of Fischetti and his Neapolitan contemporary, Pietro Bardellino, to whom the present painting was previously given, are stylistically very similar and still under the influence of Francesco de Mura. The putti (decorated with saints' symbols), the handling of features of the Virgin, and the drapery are all indicative of Fischetti's hand.