15th Nov, 2025 9:30 GMT/BST
British, European & Sporting Art
1058
Carlo Corsetti (19th Century) Italian
Trompe l'oeil of paintings, letters, sketches and a folded newspaper
Signed, extensively inscribed and dated 1859 verso, oil on canvas, together with a pendant example by the same artist, 43cm by 52cm and 44.5cm by 53cm respectively (2)
£1,200 - £1,800
Buyer's premium: 24.00%
A) With Newspaper L'Italia
Unlined, original tacking margins slightly rucked and damaged in places. All keys present, fair tension. Quantity of dirt and debris behind bottom stretcher. Slightly raised stretcher bar marks and associated cracking. Brittle age craquelure throughout, some of the larger cracks in the top left quadrant are pulling up at the canvas slightly (see image in raking light), but all appear secure. Scattered minor retouched losses throughout, with further touches of overpaint to stretcher bar marks, cracks, knocks. Some abrasion to the thin upper layers of paint, with some minor suppression by retouching e.g. purple of hills in central image. See ultraviolet images. Even varnish layer, not appreciably yellowed. Light surface dirt.
B) With picture of battle
Wax lined, all keys present. A little stiff but good tension. Unclear why it has been lined. Very slight stretcher bar marks and associated cracks. Brittle age craquelure thoroughout, not raised and all secure. Scattered minor retouched losses and retouching to abrasion of the upper paint layers as well as other marks, cracks etc. (see ultraviolet images) Varnish not appreciably discoloured. Light surface dirt.
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Auction: British, European & Sporting Art, 15th Nov, 2025
An early work by Alfred Munnings depicting Romani life at Norwich’s historic Tombland Fair is set to lead the sale. Sir Alfred Munnings (1878-1959) grew up in the deeply rural Waveney Valley in Suffolk, and his childhood was spent sketching the working horses around the family mill. Going on to set up his own studio, the opening decade of the 20th century saw him established himself as an artist painting in rural East Anglia, documenting the countryside and country life, sketching travellers, working horses and the local society in his characteristic impressionistic manner, filled with colour and light. It was only after the First World War that he went on to concentrate on painting horses, becoming the most celebrated equestrian artist of the 20th century.
A good range of traditional Sporting art of offer in the sale includes a rare depiction of a 19th century boxing match - one of the most fascinating works in the sale. It illustrates the match which took place between Carter and Oliver at Gretna Green on 4th October 1816 on the estate of Sir James Maxwell. The stakes were a hefty 100 guineas each, and the contest took place in a 24-foot roped ring in front of approximately 30,000 spectators, leaving the streets around Carlisle empty. Going into the match, Oliver was the favourite to win, but despite rumours of Carter’s lack of prowess, he dominated the fight and came out the victor. Carter was seconded by Painter and Harmer, and Oliver by Cribb and Copper, whose names are painted on the bottom of the frame.
There is also a strong selection of ornithological works by the likes of Archibald Thorburn and John Cyril Harrison.
Further highlights of the sale include The Incredulity of St Thomas by a Follower of Philippe de Champaigne, and a charming depiction of two children inspecting a bird’s nest by Dorothea Sharp.
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