⁂ Please note, the description for this lot has been updated.

Basoli (Antonio, 1774-1848) Design for the walls and ceiling of a room', pen and brown ink, watercolour, traces of pencil under-drawing, on wove paper without watermark, ruled brown ink borderline, numbered '2[?]7' in the upper right margin, 370 x 490 mm (14 1/2 x 19 1/4 in), under glass, affixed onto mount with old tape verso, some signs of surface dirt and minor toning, framed, [1821]

Provenance:
Collection of John and Eileen Harris

Exhibited:
The Age of Neo-classicism, Arts Council, Royal Academy and V&A, 9th Sept - 19th Nov 1972, cat. no. 1564

⁂ An exceptionally fine example, possibly one of Basoli's theatrical stage designs. Antonio worked as a set designer and as a decorator for numerous theatres in Bologna and its environs, including the Marsigli Rossi Theater, the Teatro Comunale di Bologna, and, in particular, the Contavalli Theater.

Born in Casetl Huelfo, Basoli's first teacher was his father, Lelio Andrea Basoli. His education was motivated by an insatiable and constant interest in classic art, classic and contemporary literature, and the works, decorations and inscriptions of Giovanni Battista Piranesi. Basoli often worked alongside his brothers, Francesco and Luigi Basoli, and in 1804 he became Professor at the Accademia delle Arti di Bologna until 1826. During his time at the Accademia he developed a close friendship with fellow pupils Domenico Corsini and Pelagio Palagi, and later worked for a time in the studio of Petronio Fancelli.