Lot 17: GAVIN HAMILTON Scottish 1723-1798

GAVIN HAMILTON Scottish 1723-1798 Venus Bringing Helen to Paris Oil on canvas 12 × 15 in.(30.5 × 38.1 cm)

12 × 15 in.(30.5 × 38.1 cm)

Oil on canvas

Provenance Sotheby's, London

In 1782-1784, Hamilton executed on commission from Prince Marcantonio IV Borghese a series of paintings on the story of Paris and Helen for the Villa Borghese in Rome. This oil sketch must represent an early stage of Hamilton's thought: the finished picture (now at the Museo di Roma) is nearly square in format. At least two other preliminary studies have appeared on the market since Professor Walch discovered this painting, then identified as "French School," at auction in London 30 years ago.