Lot 68: DOMENICO ANTONIO VACCARO

DOMENICO ANTONIO VACCARO NAPLES 1678 - 1745 A PAIR OF FLOWER STILL LIVES WITH CAVORTING PUTTI Quantity: 2 a pair, both oil on panel, in carved gilt wood frames each: 34 by 11.5 cm.; 13 3/8 by 11 1/4 in.

Comissioned by Paolo Perrella to decorate a casket for Charles II of Spain (1661-1700);
Dr. Grandauer, Munich.

These two panels were part of Paolo Perrella's commission for a series of decorative paintings adorning a casket intended as a gift for Charles II of Spain. The commission was abandoned at his death in 1700 and the casket never assembled. All other known works from this commission are on copper, including a pair of slightly smaller works in a private collection, Naples (exhibited Naples, Museo Nazionale di Capodimonte, Ritorno al Barocco, 12 December 2009 - 11 April 2010, pp. 296-97, cat. no 1.161.b, reproduced in colour). We are grateful to Professor Riccardo Lattuada for pointing out that, despite the medium, these panels were undoubtedly intended for the same casket, and were probably executed for some wooden features at the sides or at the corners.