Antique 19th century Grand Tour memento - Neapolitan oil painting behind glass fixé-sous-verre - Bay of Naples & Castel dell'Ovo oval mahogany frame

A very attractive and highly decorative antique 19th century oval mahogany framed Neapolitan oil painting behind convex glass (fixé-sous-verre). The scene appears to be the Bay of Naples with the Castel dell'Ovo in the background. In the foreground is a fisherman and his family with a basket of fish sat on a rocky promontory. To the left there are sailing boats one laden with goods. There are more sailing boats out to sea and there are great storm clouds looming in the sky.

The subject matter is similar to that of Carlo Bonavia (active in Naples 1751-1788) See Christies online auction 21048 lot 15 View over St. James’s Square: A Private Collection 17 Mar 2022 for a very similar style painting on canvas.

In the late-eighteenth century, Arnaud Vincent de Monpetit (French, 1713-1800) invented the fixé-sous-verre technique. This complex technique consisted of painting in oil on taffeta or fine silk and covering it with a translucent animal glue, before placing the protective glass over the top, resulting in a greater intensity of colour. 

This antique oil behind protective glass painting dates from the 19th century it is in original condition , it was probably a memento of Italy and bought on the Grand Tour.  

The reverse glass painting is in excellent, original condition the bonding around the outer edges has slightly loosened in some small areas - please see the images. There are some reflections of lighting in the glass in the images. It is a very decorative and interesting Italian nautical painting ready to be hung.

The frame measures 19 3/8 inches ( 49.5 cm) wide by 16 1/8 inches ( 41.0 cm) high. The painting in its frame weighs 1.518 kg unpacked.

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