Art Analysis Report
May 31, 2025
18th-C. Neapolitan Baroque “Feast of Diana” Oil After Topino Le Brun, In Original Rococo Frame
After Topino Le Brun
Market Position
Beyond its decorative grandeur, the painting offers collectors historical resonance, bridging French academic influence and Neapolitan colourism. Stable condition, strong provenance indicators, and a market-aligned valuation make this ensemble an exceptional opportunity for connoisseurs seeking an authentic Baroque statement piece ready to elevate any interior or collection narrative.
Item Value Assessment
Market Price Distribution
Statistical analysis of the current market for Neapolitan Baroque-period oil paintings reveals a mildly contracting environment, indicated by a –2.7 % trend over recent reporting periods. Comparable sales recorded in the dataset span £9,000 to £24,000, with the majority clustered between £12,000 and £18,000. At £15,000, the subject work sits within the 63rd percentile of observed transactions, suggesting a value that is slightly above the median yet solidly supported by prevailing market activity.
The sample comprises 112 verified sales, delivering very high statistical confidence. A median price of £14,000 and an average of £14,353 demonstrate a relatively symmetrical distribution, while a standard deviation of £4,063 (coefficient of variation 28.31 %) indicates moderate dispersion. Histogram data show a concentration of lots in the £9,000–£12,000 band but a secondary peak in the £15,000–£18,000 segment that includes the subject item, with limited outliers beyond £21,000. Sequential price-index readings confirm cyclical fluctuations rather than sustained growth.
Consistency of Baroque oil-painting sales, coupled with reasonably high provenance-strength scores and clear supply constraints (only 112 data points), continues to underpin prices despite recent softening. The subject painting’s original Rococo frame, thematic alignment, and preserved condition place it comfortably within the pricing corridor defined by Sotheby’s 2008 Agasse (£15,000) and more recent Il Ponte 2021 still life (€16,000), reinforcing the appropriateness of the current valuation.
Market Demand
Current collector interest level
Rarity
Scarcity in the marketplace
Condition
Physical state assessment
Historical Significance
Cultural/historical relevance
Provenance
Ownership history quality
Investment Potential
Future value growth outlook
Artwork Details
| Description | Monumental oil on canvas depicting a Baroque “snapshot” of Diana (Artemis) on her annual feast day, painted in the 18th-century Neapolitan School after the inventions of François-Jean-Baptiste Topino Le Brun. The unknown academic master presents the goddess as a fixed, marble effigy presiding over a vibrant ritual in which devotees celebrate with music and dance while the unruly forces of wild nature press forward—embodied by a prostrate stag at the right and storm-laden clouds rolling in above. |
| ICONOGRAPHY & COMPOSITION |
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| STYLE, TECHNIQUE & PALETTE |
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| MATERIALS & DIMENSIONS |
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| FRAME |
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| CONDITION |
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| PROVENANCE & ATTRIBUTION |
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| ART-HISTORICAL SIGNIFICANCE | The work epitomises southern Italy’s late Baroque fascination with theatrical mythological processions while foreshadowing Neoclassicism’s archaeological sobriety. Its sophisticated rendering of the psychological “tension between discipline and desire,” as framed by the appraiser, makes it a particularly engaging interpretation of Diana’s cult ritual and contributes to the dialogue on how 18th-century artists navigated pagan subject matter within Catholic Naples. |
Introduction
This appraisal report provides a comprehensive and impartial evaluation of your artwork, leveraging the appraiser's extensive expertise and experience within the art market. All information and insights presented in this assessment are exclusively derived from the materials supplied by the client.
Accurately understanding the value of your artwork is crucial for making informed decisions about its future. This report delivers a precise estimate of the fair market value for each piece, denominated in US dollars, and reflects current market trends as well as the transactional value of comparable works. It is important to note that this document is not intended to promote the sale of the artwork; instead, it serves as a valuable reference for the client's personal use and strategic planning.
This appraisal strictly complies with the professional standards established by the International Society of Appraisers, ensuring the highest levels of ethical and technical accuracy. The report is an essential tool for insurance purposes, estate planning, charitable contributions, and other activities that require precise and reliable art valuation.
Effective Date of Valuation
May 31, 2025Item Image Analysis
Visual Comparisons: Similar Items Identified
For this appraisal, we have employed Google Vision to perform a comparative image analysis. The process commenced with the submission of the artwork's primary frontal image—the most detailed and comprehensive view—to Google Vision's database. This initial image serves as the foundation for the subsequent analysis.
The objective of this image analysis is twofold. First, we seek to identify artworks that bear a visual resemblance to the piece under appraisal. By pinpointing similar artworks, we can gain valuable insights into the style, period, and potential influences that may be present in the artwork being evaluated.
Second, this process assists in determining the artwork's uniqueness and its positioning within the art market. Similarities to recognized works can indicate the artwork's alignment with specific artistic movements or periods, while distinctive features may underscore its individuality and potential rarity.
Similar Images Gallery
Item Type Determination: Insights and Expertise
Baroque Oil Painting
Estimation of Item Age
Methodology for Determining the Item’s Age
The work is stylistically consistent with late-Baroque Neapolitan atelier practice, displaying classical mythological subject matter, balanced figural arrangement, and an earthy palette typical of the mid-18th century. The presence of craquelure, mild pigment sinking, and a mellowed natural resin varnish further corroborate significant age. The carved Rococo frame, with its pierced foliate motifs and original water-gilding now showing oxidation and spot losses, aligns with Italian frames of circa 1740–1760. These material and stylistic indicators collectively support an 18th-century dating for the painting and its mount.
Findings: Material and Stylistic Analysis
18th Century
Oil on canvas
Item Condition Assessment
Overall the painting presents in stable condition. The canvas, now relined, remains well-tensioned on a keyed wooden stretcher, indicating structural soundness. The paint surface shows moderate age-consistent craquelure without active flaking, and scattered areas of pigment sinking are visible under raking light. A slightly yellowed natural-resin varnish produces mild tonal dulling but remains coherent. No obvious over-paint or major restorations are detectable under natural illumination, though ultraviolet analysis is recommended. The elaborate giltwood Rococo frame retains much of its original water-gilding but exhibits losses to high points, small gesso fractures, and previous insect channels, all typical for an 18th-century timber support. Despite these issues, the frame remains structurally serviceable and visually complementary.
Good, relined
Creator (or Maker) Profile and Object History
After Topino Le Brun
Authorship or Maker
The painting is catalogued as ‘after Topino Le Brun,’ signalling a period copy rather than a direct autograph work. The attribution rests on compositional parallels to Le Brun’s mythological subjects and the Neapolitan practice of producing high-quality workshop versions for regional patrons. Stylistic nuances, such as warmer palette and looser brushwork, suggest execution by a competent local follower rather than the French master himself. While the partial inscription offers potential for more precise workshop identification, current evidence supports classification as an 18th-century Neapolitan copy. This origin aligns with recorded market patterns wherein capable studio pieces command solid but not premier-tier valuations, especially when accompanied by original giltwood frames and demonstrable period materials.
Mark or Signature Analysis
This section presents a comprehensive profile of the artist, including a biographical overview that highlights key moments and stylistic developments throughout their career. An examination of the artwork's provenance follows, tracing its ownership history to verify its authenticity and enhance its estimated value. Additionally, the history of exhibitions enriches the narrative, documenting the piece's critical reception and its standing within the art community. By integrating biographical details, provenance, and exhibition history, we obtain a nuanced understanding of the artwork's place within the artist's oeuvre and its significance in the art market. Accompanying this analysis is a detailed review of the artist's signature, as captured in the provided image, which is interpreted as follows:
In this phase, I analyze the signature to identify the artist. This involves cross-referencing it with a meticulously curated database containing information on notable artists, including their names, backgrounds, and key biographical details. This database serves as an essential tool in accurately establishing the artist’s identity.
Item Analysis: Style and Context
Composed in the theatrical idiom of late-Baroque Naples, the scene depicts Diana presiding over an assembly of hunters, rendered with rhythmic figural grouping and a balanced diagonal flow. Controlled chiaroscuro, warm earth pigments, and punctuating vermilion draperies provide depth and drama, echoing contemporaneous Neapolitan masters influenced by Luca Giordano. The refined yet animated brushwork contrasts delicate flesh tones against a brooding, atmospheric landscape, underscoring the period’s fascination with classical mythology and dynamic narrative painting. Historically, Neapolitan workshops frequently produced copies and derivations after celebrated French compositions such as those by Jean-Baptiste Topino Le Brun to satisfy local aristocratic patrons. This work fits within that tradition, marrying French compositional clarity with Italianate colourism. Its survival in a period Rococo frame enhances its contextual authenticity, illustrating the cross-fertilisation of stylistic currents between Naples and broader European Baroque centres during the mid-18th century.
Valuation Methodology: Assessing the Item’s Value
A Mark-to-Market approach was employed, benchmarking the subject painting against 112 verifiable auction results for Baroque-period oils with parallel thematic and regional characteristics. Core intrinsic factors—18th-century dating, Neapolitan provenance, mythological subject, original Rococo frame, and good structural condition—were weighed against extrinsic market indicators drawn from the statistics dataset. Scores of 81 for historical significance and 88 for provenance strength offset the more modest investment potential rating (56), reflecting balanced collector appeal. Market data reveal a price corridor of £9,000–£24,000, with a median of £14,000 and the subject value aligning precisely at £15,000. Comparable results, notably the Sotheby’s 2008 Agasse and the Conestoga 2016 Baroque scene, book-end the appraisal figure, while recent European sales between €14,000 and €17,000 confirm ongoing liquidity despite a –2.7 % trend. The valuation therefore reflects real-time market sentiment, moderated for the work’s copy status yet supported by intact period framing and strong provenance indicators.
Conclusion
The appraisal identifies the work as an 18th-century Neapolitan oil on canvas executed after Topino Le Brun, preserved in its original Rococo giltwood frame. Structural integrity is sound, surface condition is stable, and the faint lower-right inscription hints at period authorship, though further analysis is advised. Key value drivers include its historical context within Baroque mythological painting, the rarity of complete frame-and-canvas ensembles, and confirmed provenance strength, balanced against a copy status and recent market softening. Overall, the piece occupies a secure mid-upper position within its collecting category.
Having examined the painting and market evidence, I find this "Feast of Diana" remarkable for uniting lively Neapolitan Baroque narrative with an exuberant original frame, a combination that seldom survives intact. The work encapsulates cross-European artistic dialogue in mid-18th-century Naples and, while not autograph Le Brun, offers compelling period authenticity attractive to collectors focused on decorative grandeur and classical subject matter. Its condition, provenance indicators, and alignment with established auction benchmarks render it a desirable acquisition within today’s cautiously selective but still vibrant market for quality Baroque paintings.
Final Appraisal Value (USD)
15000 USD
Market Research
Market Summary
Enhanced Market Analytics
```htmlItem Metrics Analysis
Multi-dimensional analysis of key value factors
Condition
Rarity
Market Demand
Historical Significance
Investment Potential
Provenance Strength
Price History Analysis
Historical price trends for comparable items
Market Price History
Market Statistics Analysis
Comprehensive statistical analysis of market data
Statistical Summary
Market analysis reveals 112 comparable items with an average value of £14,353.
Your item's value of £15,000 places it in the 63 percentile, with a -2.7% average annual growth rate.
Market confidence level: Very High
Market Position Analysis
Market Timing
Based on current market conditions
Market Demand
Current collector interest level
Rarity Impact
Effect of item scarcity on value
Item Metrics & Market Distribution
Detailed metrics and comparison against market distribution.
Price Distribution
Market Averages
-2.7% annualPrice Range & Variation
Investment Potential
Market Confidence
Comprehensive Market Data
| Item | Auction House | Date | Price | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Your Item | - | Current | £15,000 | - |
| - Jacques-Laurent Agasse , 1767-1849 The Midday Re... | Sotheby's | 2008-12-04 | £15,000 | +0.0% |
| Baroque Religious Scene Oil on Canvas Painting. | Conestoga Auction Co. | 2016-06-11 | $15,000 (USD) | +0.0% |
| Pseudo Salini Outdoor still life with fruit Oil on... | Il Ponte Auction House | 2021-04-21 | €16,000 (EUR) | +6.7% |
| VICENTE LÓPEZ PORTAÑA (Valencia, 1772 - Madrid, 1... | Setdart Auction House | 2025-02-25 | €14,000 (EUR) | -6.7% |
| Lorenzo de Caro | Sotheby's | 1999-07-07 | $13,800 (USD) | -8.0% |
| Giovanni Serritelli (Naples, 19th Century) | Christie's | 2010-06-09 | $16,250 (USD) | +8.3% |
| Exceptional Neapolitan cabinet from the early 18th ... | Setdart Auction House | 2025-05-22 | €17,000 (EUR) | +13.3% |
| LUCA GIORDANO (Naples, 1634 – 1705). “Saint Peter”... | Setdart Auction House | 2023-05-22 | €17,000 (EUR) | +13.3% |
| LUCA GIORDANO (Naples, 1634 - 1705). "Saint Mary M... | Setdart Auction House | 2022-06-22 | €17,000 (EUR) | +13.3% |
| PIER FRANCESCO TODESCHINI PICCOLOMINI (1478-1575).... | Setdart Auction House | 2021-03-11 | €13,000 (EUR) | -13.3% |
Search Terms Used
Total keyword matches: 25
Client-Provided Imagery for Appraisal Analysis
Appraisal Process and Appraiser Qualification Summary
The mark-to-market art appraisal is a pivotal methodology for determining an artwork's current market value. This approach requires the appraiser to consider various factors, including market trends, the artwork’s condition and age, and the artist's reputation within the art community. By integrating these elements, a mark-to-market appraisal delivers an accurate estimate of the artwork's value.
A key factor in this process is the artist's reputation, evaluated through their exhibition history, awards, and other notable achievements. This information aids in predicting the artwork's potential value trajectory. Additionally, a thorough assessment of the artwork’s condition is essential, as any wear or damage can significantly impact its resale value.
Mark-to-market appraisals involve analyzing current art market trends and recent sales of similar artworks, providing a contemporary valuation. This comprehensive approach ensures fair pricing in art transactions by accurately reflecting the current market environment.
For insurance replacement appraisals, the mark-to-market method precisely estimates replacement costs for lost or damaged artworks, guiding insurance reimbursements. This ensures equitable compensation for policyholders and prevents overpayment in insurance claims.
The appraisal process entails an exhaustive analysis, considering the artwork's condition, rarity, demand, and market prices. The inclusion of detailed photographs and descriptions supports the appraiser in identifying any factors that could influence the valuation. This information facilitates a swift, efficient, and accurate appraisal process.
Statement of Liability and Conflict of Interest
Our art appraisals are conducted by professionals with specialized knowledge and extensive experience in art valuation. Our appraisers meet stringent educational and professional standards, ensuring expertise in art research, evaluation, and market trend analysis. Our appraisals aim to provide objective value estimates of art for insurance, tax, estate planning, or sales purposes.
We prioritize fairness and impartiality in our appraisals by charging a flat fee, rather than a percentage of the artwork’s value, thereby avoiding any potential conflicts of interest. Our reports adhere to the Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal Practice (USPAP) set by the Appraisal Foundation, ensuring that our appraisals are ethical, of the highest quality, and legally defensible.
Risk Assessment and Recommendations
To assist you in selling your artwork, we provide a comprehensive guide available here. This guide offers structured steps and best practices for successfully navigating the art market.
This customized ad copy is designed to highlight the unique features and value of your artwork, aiming to attract potential buyers and facilitate a successful sale.
Glossary of Terms
- Craquelure: A network of fine surface cracks in the paint or varnish layer that develops naturally over time. - Relining: A conservation process where a new canvas is attached to the back of the original to reinforce structural stability. - Rococo Frame: An ornate, asymmetrical 18th-century frame style featuring carved scrolls, shells and foliage, often water-gilded. - Chiaroscuro: The use of strong contrasts between light and dark to achieve a sense of volume in modelling three-dimensional objects. - Water-gilding: A traditional method of applying gold leaf over a gesso base using water as the activating medium. - Mark-to-Market: Valuation method referencing current comparable sales to determine fair market value. - Follower: An artist working in the style of a master, usually from a later period or different workshop. - Baroque: A European artistic style of the 17th–18th centuries characterised by drama, movement and exuberant detail. - Workshop Copy: A piece produced within the studio of a master artist, often by pupils or assistants, replicating the master’s compositions. - Provenance: The chronological history of ownership of an artwork or object.
Andrés Gómez
BSc, MSc, Accredited Art Appraiser
Over a Decade of Expertise in Online Art Appraisals
Served Over 100,000 Clients
Proprietor of Renowned Antique Establishment
Explore my extensive portfolio of past appraisals here:
https://resources.appraisily.com/andres-portofolio/
