Timotheus Playing the Lyre before Alexander and Thaïs in the Hall of the Palace at Persepolis

c. 1820

Pietro Fancelli

Associated Names
Pietro Fancelli

Artist, Bolognese, 1764 - 1850

This is a drawing of an indoor scene with classical architecture and figures. The description details a richly imagined interior setting with tall fluted columns, ornate capitals, a high ceiling with decorative elements, figures gathered, some seated on an elevated platform, possibly for a celebratory or ceremonial purpose. The composition features dynamic lines, angles suggesting depth, draped fabrics, a statue on a pedestal, and detailed ornamental work.

Media Options

This object’s media is free and in the public domain. Read our full Open Access policy for images.
Not on view See artworks now on view

Artwork overview

Artwork history & notes

Provenance

La Sociéte Historique et Littéraire Polonaise, Paris (sale London, Christie's, 4 July 1972, lot 36); Seiferheld and Co., New York; William B. O'Neal [1907-1994], Charlottesville, VA, January, 1973; gift to NGA, 1991.

Associated Names

Exhibition History

1973

  • Master Drawings from the Collection of William B. O'Neal, Walter Cecil Rawls Museum, Courtland, VA; Roanoke Fine Arts Center, Roanoke, VA; Longwood College, Farmville, VA; University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA; and Virginia Museum Downtown Gallery, Richmond, VA, 1973-1975.

1993

  • Drawings from the O'Neal Collection. Exh. cat. National Gallery of Art, Washington, 1993, 25.

1996

  • Drawings from the O'Neal Collection, Georgia Museum of Art, The University of Georgia, Athens; The Arkansas Arts Center, Little Rock, AR; The Patrick and Beatrice Haggerty Museum of Art, Marquette University, Milwaukee, WI; and The Picker Art Gallery, Colgate University, Hamilton, NY, 1996-1997.

2014

  • From Neoclassicism to Futurism: Italian Prints and Drawings, 1800- 1925, National Gallery of Art, Washington, 2014 - 2015.

Bibliography

1975

  • "Drawings for Theater and Architecture: A Special View of a Noted Virginia Collection of Master Drawings," Arts in Virginia, 15 (Spring 1975), 2, 6-7 (illus.).

Inscriptions

along right side, in pen and brown ink: Un uomo con un ornamento sul capo che / sembra una corona, ed accompagnato / da due donne, una delle quali ha un [illeg.] / [illeg.] nel capo, e l'altra tiene nelle ma- / ni alcune insegne autorevoli / Chardin / [illeg.] / LeBrun / Un uomo che amazza un / Toro che ha un corno nella fronte / tenuto forte colla sinistra mano / e colla destra immerse un pu- / gnale nel ventro / Un uomo uccide un Leone / tenuto per la chioma colla / sinistra ecc. / Portico / Pilastri / Palazzo / Capitello / di bianco marmo / Platani / Palmi / Mitra ed il sole / Persepoli, fra le sue / rovine vedesi in un bassorilievo / due animali simili ad un / cavallo, con una sola SEE COMMENTARY FOR INSCRIPTION CONTINUATION

Wikidata ID

Q64619676

You may be interested in

Loading Results