A 300-year old Italian Baroque masterpiece painting, whose whereabouts were not publicly known for centuries until earlier this year when it was identified in a Texas warehouse, will be offered in a fine arts auction by Heritage Auction Galleries (www.HA.com) in Dallas, Texas and online, Nov. 20, 2008.

“The three-by-four foot painting depicts , and was created around 1700 by the celebrated Italian master, Sebastiano Ricci (1659 - 1734) with assistance from his nephew, Marco Ricci (1676 - 1730) for the landscape. The work is a rediscovery of major art historical importance,” said Dr. Edmund Pillsbury, Heritage’s Chairman of Fine Arts and former Director of Fort Worth’s Kimbell Art Museum.

Saint Bruno, founder of the Carthusian order, is shown in a landscape scene, reclining on the ground as he contemplates angels above.

Now owned by a private family corporation, the painting was previously owned by an 18th century Italian nobleman and an early 19th century St. Louis, Missouri fur merchant who outfitted explorers Lewis and Clark.

For additional information, contact Heritage Auction Galleries of Dallas, Texas. Phone: (800) 872-6467. Online: www.HA.com.

Posted: 11|7|08 at 12:07 pm. Filed under: US News.