Adam's Country House Collections 18th & 19th October 2021

174 Country House Col lections 533 NATHANIEL HONE RHA (1718-1784) Portrait of La Signora Anna Zamperini (1745-1771), Half Length, Depicted in the Lead Role as Cecchina in Niccolo Piccini’s opera Buffa ‘La Buona Figliuola’, adapted from Samuel Richardson’s novel ‘Pamela’ Oil on canvas, 74 x 62cm € 15,000 - 20,000 This work was reproduced as a mezzotint by John Finlayson, published 1769, February 1st La Buona Figliuola, The Accomplished Maid’ was a hugely successful opera by Niccolo Piccini first per- formed in Rome in February 1760 at the Teatro Delle Dame. The text or libretto was written by Carlo Goldoni and was based on the novel Pamela; or, Virtue Rewarded, by English writer Samuel Richardson. The initial performance was made up of an all-male cast, but when it transferred to London in 1766 it included female singers. Anna Zamperini (c.1745 - 1771) was an Italian singer, who became extremely successful in London. The opera tells the story of the much fraught obsessions of class and social mobility in the 18th century. The Marquis of Conchiglia has fallen in love with Cecchina, who is a maid. Appalled by the social impro- priety of such a match, Cavaliere Armidoro, who is the fiancé of the Marquis’ sister, decides to take the moral high road and thus refuse to marry poor Lucinda in retaliation. Cecchina is plaqued by many of her own problems including the unwanted advances of Mengotto, a poor man who is infatuated with her. As well as suffering the jealousy of two other maids, Sandrina and Paoluccia, who enraged by her attempt to rise above her station, try to cause as much trouble as possible for Cecchina. Following many dramatic moments and plot twists, there is a happy ending for the lead role, when a German solider, Tagliaferro reveals that Cecchina is in fact the daughter of a German Baron, and thus can marry the Marquis without causing a scandal. Anna is depicted here by Hone as Cecchina, the proper and upper-class version, transformed by her parentage, wearing a fine dress adorned with flowers, a fashionable hairstyle and bonnet and expensive jewels. Her almost porcelain complexion, highlighted with rosy cheeks suggests purity while her pose, hands crossed, smiling sweetly at the viewer creates a character of modesty and innocence, true virtues of a respected lady. Day II LIVE AUCTION at 26 St Stephen’s Green, Dublin 2: Tuesday 19 th October 2021 starting at 11am