Jan 28, 2026 10:00 EST
Old Master Paintings / Silver / English & Continental Furniture
15
Attributed to Antonio Tempesta
Julius Caesar on Horseback
Oil on canvas
83 1/2 inches x 62 1/4 inches (272.1 x 158.1 cm)
Frame 96 1/4 x 74 1/4 inches (244.5 x 188 cm)
Provenance:
Private collection, South America
This painting is closely related to an etching of 1594 by Tempesta depicting Julius Caesar on horseback, one of his series “The First Twelve Roman Caesars.” A major portion of the artist's output were etchings and engravings, which were distributed throughout Europe. By contrast, his paintings largely remained in the collections of his Roman patrons. The relationship of this painting to his print of the same subject is unclear. Was it Tempesta’s model for the etching? Or was this large and imposing painting based on the print?
The presence of the battle scene in the painting--a vignette typical of Tempesta’s compositions, and one not included in the etching--suggests that the painting was very likely the primary version. The canvas, of monumental size, is housed in a magnificent 17th-century frame in the Bolognese style. Caesar is shown on a rearing horse seen from behind, dressed in Roman armor and carrying a military baton as he overlooks a battle unfolding in the background. No doubt commissioned for a large palace or villa, the painting evokes Julius Caesar’s position as a heroic figure in the Renaissance, as military commander, author, and Emperor.
Sold for $11,520
Estimated at $10,000 - $15,000
Includes Buyer's Premium
Julius Caesar on Horseback
Oil on canvas
83 1/2 inches x 62 1/4 inches (272.1 x 158.1 cm)
Frame 96 1/4 x 74 1/4 inches (244.5 x 188 cm)
Provenance:
Private collection, South America
This painting is closely related to an etching of 1594 by Tempesta depicting Julius Caesar on horseback, one of his series “The First Twelve Roman Caesars.” A major portion of the artist's output were etchings and engravings, which were distributed throughout Europe. By contrast, his paintings largely remained in the collections of his Roman patrons. The relationship of this painting to his print of the same subject is unclear. Was it Tempesta’s model for the etching? Or was this large and imposing painting based on the print?
The presence of the battle scene in the painting--a vignette typical of Tempesta’s compositions, and one not included in the etching--suggests that the painting was very likely the primary version. The canvas, of monumental size, is housed in a magnificent 17th-century frame in the Bolognese style. Caesar is shown on a rearing horse seen from behind, dressed in Roman armor and carrying a military baton as he overlooks a battle unfolding in the background. No doubt commissioned for a large palace or villa, the painting evokes Julius Caesar’s position as a heroic figure in the Renaissance, as military commander, author, and Emperor.
Glue relined. scattered areas of craquelure throughout. There is an inpainted horizontal seam running across the center of the canvas. Scattered areas of restoration, including a long, narrow area (approximately 27 inches) just above the lower edge. Repaired tears, including a 9-inch horizontal tear across the horse's rump; another repaired 4-inch tear a few inches below that. There is also a repaired 18-inch-long vertical tear approximately 13 inches in from the right edge, and a repaired 6-inch-long horizontal tear crossing it.
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Auction: Old Master Paintings / Silver / English & Continental Furniture, Jan 28, 2026
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Miniature Work by Giacomo Guardi Leads Sale of Old Master & 19th Century Paintings, Drawings & Prints on January 28, 2026
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Consignments Are Currently Being Accepted for Future Auctions
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We Invite You to Contact Us for a Complimentary Auction Evaluation of Your Collection
NEW YORK, NY -- Doyle’s auction of Old Master & 19th Century Paintings, Drawings & Prints on January 28, 2026 delivered some exceptional results amid international bidding. The sale presented works spanning the 16th through 19th centuries, including portraits, still lifes and landscapes, along with religious, historical and mythological subjects.
The star of the Old Master paintings was a very fine miniature architectural view by the Venetian artist Giacomo Guardi (1764–1835), after a much larger work by his illustrious father, Francesco Guardi. Showing an intriguing view of a small city square from the shadows of a Renaissance arcade, this delightful gem measuring 5 1/8 x 3 15/16 inches sold for $14,080, a surprising price for a miniature work.
Also featured was Anthropomorphic Landscape attributed to Matthäus Merianthat, which realized $8,960. Anthropomorphic landscapes--imaginary views of natural scenery that appear to resemble the faces of people--were much in vogue in European art during the 16th and early 17th centuries. When this painting was first discovered by Alfred Barr in 1930 it was thought to be by the Italian Mannerist artist Giuseppe Arcimboldo (1527-1593). However when the work was cleaned and restored in 1954, an inscription attributing it to the Swiss engraver Matthäus Merian (1593-1650) came to light. It was soon shown that its composition is closely related to an engraving of a similar anthropomorphic landscape created by Merian in 1624, which suggests that it may have been the artist’s preliminary sketch for that work.
Old Master prints were highlighted by four hand-colored engravings by Basilius Besler (1561–1629) from Hortus Eystettensis (The Garden of Eichstätt), which sold for $10,240. Published in 1613, Hortus Eystettensis is a landmark botanical masterpiece, featuring hundreds of finely detailed engravings that document the extensive gardens of Prince-Bishop Johann Konrad von Gemmingen in Bavaria.
Additional Categories in the Sale
Special sections of the sale also showcased English & Continental Silver (Read More) on Wednesday, January 28 and English & Continental Furniture & Decorative Arts (Read More) on Thursday, January 29.
We Invite You to Auction!
Consignments are currently being accepted for future auctions. We invite you to contact us for complimentary auction estimates. Our Specialists are always available to discuss the sale of a single item or an entire collection.
