Lot 42: Tommaso d'Antonio Manzuoli, called Maso da San Friano , Florence circa 1532 - 1571 A trompe l'oeil design for a wall monument, with David playing the harp before Saul, a portrait of a young man held by putti above oil on panel

oil on panel

measurements note 42.5 by 60.5 cm.; 16 3/4 by 23 7/8 in.

Florence, Biblioteca Riccardiana, Carte di Scena, 21 December 1998 - 20 March 1999, no. 22.

C. Pizzorusso, in Carte di Scena, exhibition catalogue, Florence, Biblioteca Riccardiana, 21 December 1998 - 20 March 1999, pp. 92-95, cat. no. 22, reproduced.

THE PROPERTY OF A GENTLEMAN
This painting would appear to be a modello or a small-scale replica of a design for a wall monument. The painting cleverly illustrates the device of a picture within a picture: the central scene showing David playing his harp before Saul is placed within an architectural framework of a plain moulded base, two niches with gilt or bronze figures either side, and a broken pedimental structure above. The portrait of a young man, contained within a medallion held by putti, might suggest that this is a design for a commemorative monument or tomb in his honour (and that perhaps his name was David). The two figures set within niches have been correctly identified as Adam and Eve: the latter is easily recognisable by her pose and by the presence of the serpent, whilst Adam appears more mythological than biblical, his pose and dress reminiscent of classical representations, though he does point heavenwards as if in invocation of God. The theatrical setting of the narrative in the central scene, with its sweeping curtain and architectural background, contrasts with the austere lines of the framework itself. The technique is rather too polished for a bozzetto and since the design has almost certainly been reduced in scale, it is reasonable to assume that this would have been painted as a modello, for a private patron to approve before taking the project to its full completion.