Picart after Spada The Concert {1879} NGV [PR]

Picart, Étienne (1632-1721; French), after Spada, Leonello (1576-1622; Italian)
Concert de Musique [The Concert] (1677)
Engraving
Gift of George Collins Levey 1879
National Gallery of Victoria (p.183.8-1)

= Levey gift, cat.38

Picart’s engraving, one of the original group of 22 Tableaux du roi published in 1677, includes an inscription identifying the source as a painting by Domenichino.

However the canvas, bought by Louis XIV in 1662, is now known to have been painted by Spada, a Caravaggio follower, in about 1615. Like Domenichino’s St Cecilia, also acquired by Louis XIV in 1662, it was probably painted for Pope Gregory XV’s nephew Cardinal Ludovisi: see now Picart after Domenichino St Cecilia singing the praises of God {1879} NGV [PR].

For Spada, see linked artist entry.

Refs.

NGV 1894, p.109 (V.Buvelot Gallery, 2^nd bay, no.41); NGV 1905, p.122 (V.Buvelot Gallery, 2^nd bay, no.30) 

The NGV catalogue, illustrating this rint, lists it as by an unknown artist after Domenichino. Cf. Suite et Arrangement (1727), p.2; and Duplessis Cabinet du roi (1860), p.6.

For the original painting, see Louvre cat.II (1981), p.299; and Rosella Vodret & Claudio Strinati, “Painted Music: ‘A New and affecting Manner’,” in Beverley Brown, ed., The Genius of Rome 1592-1623, London: Royal Academy, 2001, pp.92-115, esp.fig.36