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The Continence of Scipio
Sebastiano Ricci·c. 1706
Historical Context
Ricci's Continence of Scipio from around 1706 depicts the famous episode of Roman virtue — the general Scipio Africanus returning a beautiful captive to her fiancé rather than taking her as a concubine — that was a standard subject for demonstrating painterly resources of figure composition, architectural setting, and historical drama. Ricci was the leading Venetian history painter of his generation, reviving the grand Venetian tradition of Veronese and Tintoretto after the relative decline of the late seventeenth century. His Scipio reflects his characteristic approach: a large multi-figure composition with architectural grandeur, warm Venetian coloring, and the classical subject treated with theatrical verve.
Technical Analysis
Ricci's dynamic technique renders the multi-figure composition with characteristic Venetian color and energetic brushwork. The figures are arranged in a theatrical, stage-like composition with dramatic gesture and rich costume. The warm, luminous palette reflects Ricci's revival of Veronese's grand decorative manner.
Provenance
Probably Mr. Oliver, Castle Oliver, County Limerick, Ireland, by 1776 [The Continence of Scipio was mentioned with other paintings by Ricci in Arthur Young’s Tour of Ireland (1776-1779); probably by descent to Edith Jane Thomasina Morris of Dunkathal, County Cork,who married Sir George Colthurst of Blarney Castle in 1881 (letter of Margaret Lantry dated 11 November, 2008 and of Sir Charles Colthurst of 8 September 2003 in curatorial file); by descent to Sir Richard St. John Jefferyes Colthurst, 8th Bt., Blarney Castle, Cork, Ireland; sold Sotheby’s, 27 February 1952, lot 141, to David M. Koester, New York. Walter P. Chrysler, Jr., New York, by 1956 [it is referred to, but not included in, the Portland, Oregon, exhibition catalogue]; Colnaghi’s, London, by 1969 [see Colnaghi 1969, no. 18]; sold to AIC, May 1970.
