Achille Leonardi - Linda di Chamonnid (Chamonix)

Achille Leonardi

Little appears to be known about Achille Leonardi himself although his paintings can be found in collections around the world.

Owners of some of the paintings shown here have provided background on how the paintings came into their hands. Some came from deceased estates and others were sold because the original owners suffered financial failures. However, the present owners all

express their love of their paintings and have in many cases had the works restored at substantial costs.

Since Achille Leonardi lived in Europe and many of the works now hang in countries as distributed as Australia, Argentina, New Zealand, Unites States and Netherlands, it is obvious that the works have moved around with their owners or by international sales.

Linda di Chamonnid (Chamonix)

Achille Leonardi - Linda di Chamonnid
19th Century Italian oil on canvas. Size 100 x 75 cm (39 1/4" x 29 1/2"). This painting has been in private ownership of the same family since the early 1920's when it was purchased in Germany.

A larger (˜150%) version of this painting (without signature) can be found in the lobby of the Sheraton Towers Hotel in Buenos Aires, Argentina.

The setting is the Chamonix Valley with Mont Blanc in the background.

In 1842 Gaetano Donizetti composed a Melodramma semiserio in three acts called "Linda di Chamonix". In the opera the family farm is in Haute Savoie located in a valley in Ambo.

Name and signature is also repeated on back of canvas.

Other works by Achille Leonardi

A child's bed time (98 x 74 cm)

Hurrying Home (46 x 38 cm) (Mouse over and click for more)

Guido Reni painting the Portrait of Beatrice Cenci in prison.

Numerous versions:
1877	93 x	231 cm
......	96.5 x	133 cm
......	98 x	134 cm
......	99.5 x	137 cm
......	102 x	124.5 cm	below right

Young girl in a Turban

Beatrice (50cm x 60cm) Recently restored.
Purchased from Canada - now in Holland.

Madonna and Child (85 x 101.5 cm)

Lady with flowing turban holding child. (142cm x 104cm) Sold in UK

"The ascension of..." - (58 5/8in x 24 1/2in)

Wild Game Trophies
Signed "Achille Leonardi Roma Babuino 66"
(31in X 26in)

Still Life of Wild Game
Signed "Achille Leonardi Roma Babuino 66"
(31in X 36in)

Note: Fontane and Babuino are avenues in Rome and the numbers may be the street address where the artist lived.

Copy Transfiguration of Raphael, preserved at the Vatican. Signed Achille Leonardi - bottom right. (110cm x 161cm)
Sold in Paris.

Reported works without pictures here

1870 - Young Girl in Cloister - (99.1 x 71.1 cm) Oil/canvas
1882 - La condamnée à mort - (105 x 128 cm) Oil/canvas

- Brugge Canal - (46 x 38 cm) Oil/canvas

- Head of Christ with thorns

- After Guido Reni

- Holy Family in stable with cherubs looking over head (58.42 x 45.72 cm)

- Portrait of a Young Woman with Flowers (20 x 16 in)

- Petrarch's father throwing the poet's books into the fire (19 x 25in)

- Hope (37 x 51cm)

- Charity (37 x 51cm)

- Purity whipping cupid (88 x 54cm)

Links

Note: These links worked on Apr 2009. Links change over time so some of the ones above may not be working when you try them.

Notes on variations

It is clear that Leonardi made numerous versions of the same scene as can be seen in the examples below. Although the photos of the two paintings have different detail and quality, there are small differences in the paintings that are difficult to spot.

The differences in "Hurrying Home" are difficult to find and it is possible that they are the result of changes made by conservators. If you look at the bindings on the handle of the basket and inside the hat differences are apparent.


	The version above was restored by Gatti Fine Arts Services. The small black and white sketch (right) appears to be based on the painting to the left.
These versions of "The Portrait of Beatrice Cenci in prison" are probably the most obvious cases of variations that can be found with different canvas sizes and subject positions. The clear differences are the position of the artist relative to the blue sheet on the bed and also the width and drape of the same blue sheet. The signature can be found bottom right in red.

ABOVE:
The two paintings of "Linda di Chamonnid" above are also obvious because they are completely different sizes and the owners are known. The significant differences on the skirt and foreground in the left painting are the result of restoration which did not conform to the original.
It is known that some of the variants are the works of copyists or art students.
LEFT:
Antonio Sasso was a prolific Italian copyist working in the mid-late nineteenth century, and exhibited at the International Exhibition of 1876 in Philadelphia. Canvas inscribed on the reverse: “Prof. A. Sasso and Son, Borgognissanti Florence”, original gilt-wood frame, with some restorations to painting.
Canvas size: 38”h x 29”w
Overall size in frame: 45 ½”h x 35”w

Beware of Fakes

Venus Study (50 x 35 cm)	David Study (48 x 34 cm)	Sinature on Venus Study Sinature on David Head
Claimed owner is in Bulgaria. Sale on eBay (Nov-2006) with other similar fakes.		Note: An analysis of the signatures indicate they are traced from "Linda di Chamonnid" above.

Contact

If you have more information about Achille Leonardi, his history and artworks please email to

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April 2009