Fun Searching for Hidden Art Treasures

Ever feel the thrill of sitting in on an auction? Browsing around a Thrift Shop? Spotting a piece of Art Work that you find so appealing can be so much fun... as long as your the one to grab it before someone else does! Often times, out of the corner of your eye you spot another browsing. They pick it up, look it over and maybe put it back down. Well, by all means... go look at what it was they rejected. Who knows, maybe it might be just the right thing.

Villa di Serraveza

Reproduction Art, unknown artist. Looks #Tempra on Paper. Number on back: #99050-2/11. Beautiful Carved Leaf & berries, Wood painted black & Gold Gilt Frame.

Original: 1599-1602, Artist: Giusto Utens or #Justus Van Utens ( -1609), Lunette form in Tempra on Canvas. Commissioned work for 3rd Grand Duke of Tuscany, Ferdinando I. 17 Lunettes of the Medicean Villas, 14 paintings survive. Displayed at Petraia Villa Medici. Italy

A great find on a recent browsing trip around my general location here in Carver County, MN. Sitting by its lonesome, behind a bunch of Modern Artist Prints of a little bit bigger. So, I almost missed it. But, from experience having run a Flea Market in years past... you have to turn every page, look behind every nook and cranny!

The picture above is the Villa di Serravezza (Noted: Utens spelling Serraveza) The pictures overall size framed is 33" X 24", Inside 28 X 19 approx. The hooks attached with black square holed nails or screws, are a bit age locked, but overall the hanger is still tight, has wooden corner braces, paper backing so can't see much inside. Frame was dusty, cobwebbed and most likely stored for a long period of time. Magnification looks to be either hand painted or #Silkscreen. But, need verification. I am no expert!

Late 18th Century

#Giusto #Utens was first commissioned to paint the #Medici Villas in their garden splendor. They became known for their architectural form for #gardens in the area of #Tuscany, Italy and later throughout Europe. The 3 missing #Lunettes were thought to be Villa di Artimino, Villa Medici di Careggi and Villa del Poggio Imeriale (Baroncelli). In the early 20th century an unknown artist completed these works for the then current owner of one of the Villa's being refurbished. Information is sketchy at best online on this unknown artist. However, from information I have read, the new owner was American and hired American artisans to come to the Villa for restorations. One American #Artist, Charles Sprague Pearce (1851-1914) is know to have moved to France and is known for his work with painting Lunettes. Would be curious to know if he would have been the artist that worked at the Villa restoration? However, due to a lack of clear notes, I don't recall the name of the Villa that was restored. So, its important to research what you find, and keep good note for future reference!