September 19, 2019 Online Catalog

481 - ATTR. LUDOVICO CARRACCI (ITAL.,1555-1619) OIL ON CANVAS

Accompanied by an experts report in Czech from Union of Fine Arts MAROLD, Secretariat, In Prague, 19th September, 1949, Klimentská 7, Prague 2, Phone no. 640 – 58. Work measures 17-1/4" H x 14-3/4" W. Frame measures 28" H x 25" W x 4" D. Using online translation, the letter from Union of Fine Arts MAROLD translates to: "Dobrozdání. The picture presented to us for review 44x36.1/2 cm is an oil painting on canvas, representing a female portrait to the neck. The robe at the bottom is cut off by the middle. The woman holds a twig in my hand. We attribute this work to the characteristics and similarities of the model, as well as to the technique of painting by the Lodovico Carracci (1555-1619).The painting is secured and somewhat restored some 30 to 100 years ago on the back of a new canvas.In the blind frame with the oro-centric arm is visible from the time the canvas was locked. # LC7. we confirm the creator of the painting is Lodovico Carracci, and the picture was acquired in England in 1863.4 as well as other data. The painting is a beautiful work of art and a valuable artistic monument.". Provenance: From the estate of Dr. Ladislav Alexander. Dr. Alexander opened up his family property, a building in Košice (pre-war Hungary/after-war Czechoslovakia), into a refuge. He turned 22 apartments and 7 stores into a safe-haven for returning Jews after the war, his wife (Edith Alexander) caring, cooking and feeding them until they could get on their feet. The town was invaded by communists and Dr. Alexander was arrested and imprisoned. His brother was able to bribe an official to unofficially release the Dr. Alexander in 1949, who quickly invested in valuables (namely 3 paintings) that could later be used to obtain provisions. His items were snuck to Italy and he fled the country with his family on a train, escaping a raid/search of the train before making it safely to Venice.He waited in Italy for two years (for the American quotas to allow for his entrance) before he obtained a special permission from Congressman Jacob Javits (future Senator Javits) in 1951 to come to America with his family where he was reunited with his belongings that had been sent to his American sponsor. The building he opened for refuge is still standing in Košice today and is known as "The Alexander Building". This work is one of the three paintings he purchased in 1949 from Spolek Výtvarných Umelcu Marold. Letter from expert, Spolek Vitvarnyth (Spolek Výtvarných), the prior owner and Old Master Gallery Specialist dated 1949

Pre-sale estimate $7500 - 12500