Property of the late Marcello Violante Attributed to Giovan...

Hammer

£50,000

Property of the late Marcello Violante

Attributed to Giovanni Paolo Panini (1691 - 1765)
St. Paul shaking off the Viper in the Island of Malta, with the Temple of Saturn and St Peter's Colonnade
Oil on canvas
C. 1735

Dimensions:
103 in (H) x 85.8 in (W)

Literature:
cf. Catalogue of Paintings in the Wellington Museum Apsley House by C.M. Kauffman, revised by Susan Jenkins, English Heritage in association with Paul Holberton publishing, London 2009, p. 223-4, cat. no.123.

Lot Essay:
This large and impressive canvas is an important addition to Panini's oeuvre and, according to Professor Arisi, should be dated to around 1735 on comparison with the small version (73 cm x 61cm) signed and dated that year at the Wellington Museum, London (Arisi 1986, p.348, no.234).

The picture illustrates The Acts of the Apostles, chapter 28, verses 1-6. Paul, on his way to stand trial in Rome, is shipwrecked on Malta with other prisoners. They are welcomed by the islanders who light a fire to warm their guests. As he helps to collect sticks for firewood, Paul is bitten by a viper which fastens itself to his hand. He shakes it off into the fire and is unharmed. The islanders take this to be a miracle and proof of divine protection.

We are grateful to Charles Beddington for confirming the attribution to Panini upon first-hand inspection.

There is a condition report available.