ADAM'S THE LIBRARY COLLECTION 29th April 2025

152 The present picture is based on a well known work by Francesco Albani (1578–1660), a leading figure of the Italian Ba - roque and the Bolognese school. Trained from the age of twelve under Denis Calvaert and later with the Carracci at the Accademia degli Incamminati, Albani moved to Rome around 1600. There, he worked under Annibale Carracci and alongside Guido Reni and Domenichino on major commissions, developing the lyrical, classicising style that defined his career. Depicting Venus at her toilette—attended by nymphs and cupids, beside a fountain and with her chariot above—the scene reflects Albani’s gift for weaving mythological themes into Arcadian settings. The reclining goddess before a mirror held by Cupid recalls the “Toilet of Venus” motif, popularised by Venetian artists and reimagined with Albani’s distinctive style. This painting is in reverse to versions in the Louvre and Prado, and likely based on Benoît Audran the Elder’s (Lyon, 1661- 1721) engraving after Albani. The reversal, typical of printmaking, suggests the composition was drawn from the print rather than the original, a common practice in the 18th century when Albani’s mythologies were highly prized in France. Albani’s idealised vision—his cherubs said to be modelled on his twelve children—appealed to both religious and aristo- cratic patrons. Through painting and print, his work helped define the elegant, decorative current of Baroque classicism. A closely related painting to this lot sold in Christie’s, London 24 Apr 2001 Lot 106 for £5,875. 289 AFTER FRANCESCO ALBANI (BOLOGNA 1578-1660) Toeletta Di Venere Oil on canvas, 62.5 x 78.5cm € 2,000 - 3,000