Lot 77: Pedro Núñez de Villavicencio (Seville 1640-c. 1695-8)

Pedro Núñez de Villavicencio (Seville 1640-c. 1695-8)
Boys playing dice - a modello
oil on canvas
18 x 23¾ in. (45.7 x 60.4 cm.)

Painted as a boceto or presentation modello for King Carlos II of Spain, circa 1692-1694.
Gerald S. Davies, Master of Charterhouse; (+) Christie's, London, 25 April 1927, lot 17, as 'Vincencio' (unsold).

No VAT will be charged on the hammer price, but VAT at 15% will be added to the buyer's premium which is invoiced on a VAT inclusive basis.
This canvas is a recently rediscovered presentation modello of the large masterpiece Boys playing dice, that was painted and given by Villavicencio circa 1692-94, to King Carlos II of Spain, and that is now in the Prado, Madrid. The Prado picture is of vertical format, having had an addition made to the upper part by Luca Giordano (see fig. 1). We are grateful to Professor Enrique Valdivieso for drawing our attention to the Prado picture and for confirming the attribution on the basis of photographs.