Valuing a possible Cipriani

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Dear Helaine and Joe:This painting is a family heirloom that was shipped to me from England in the 1970s. I was told that the artist was John Cipriani, and I would like some more information.-- J.L., Fulton, N.Y.Dear J.L.:Giovanni Battista (John the Baptist) Cipriani was born in Florence, Italy, in 1727 and took his first art lessons from Ignatius Hugford, who was of English descent. He continued his training under Anton Domenico Gabbiani and moved to Rome around 1750, becoming acquainted with English architect William Chambers and sculptor John Wilton.Cipriani came to England in 1755 and built a reputation as a painter and engraver. He is revered for his drawing skills, and it is said that his influence greatly improved the art of figure drawing within the English school of artists.He had powerful patrons in England, including Lord Tilney, the Duke of Richmond, and his friendship with Chambers helped Cipriani get the commission to paint part of a ceiling in Buckingham House, and an entire ceiling in the Albany, a structure designed by Chambers for Lord Holland.When Chambers built Somerset House, Cipriani designed the carvings on the building facade as well as prepared the decorations in the north wing. The central painting on the ceiling of the library in Somerset House was painted by Sir Joshua Reynolds, but Cipriani executed the four compartments in the coves with neoclassical images representing "Allegory," "Fable," "Nature" and "History."Cipriani was a founding member of the Royal Academy (of Art), which inducted its first member on Dec. 10, 1768. Sir Joshua Reynolds was this organization's first president and Cipriani designed the academy's diploma, which was printed by Bartolozzi. Perhaps the most famous Cipriani commission was the allegorical panels on the exterior of King George III's royal coach, which is still in use today.Cipriani, who died in 1785 in Hammersmith, England, is also associated with paintings on furniture and it is speculated that he painted some of the allegorical scenes on pieces designed by Robert Adam. He also greatly influenced other painters who executed these allegorical neoclassical scenes on satinwood furniture.It is unfortunate that J.L. did not tell us the size of this piece nor the material on which it was painted. Is it some kind of unknown wood? Is it satinwood? It is copper? This piece appears to be some part of a room's dicor, but an idea of the size would help us to know whether it was used over a fireplace, over a door, as part of a cabinet or perhaps the crest rail on a chair.Without the size, this piece is difficult to price.It is also unsigned and does not have a clear provenance, so all we can say is that it is in Cipriani's style and is probably "School of Cipriani," "Circle of Cipriani" or at best "Attributed to Cipriani."Interestingly, the smaller this painting is the more desirable it is to collectors.For insurance replacement purposes, this piece should be valued in the $1,500-to-$2,000 range if it is small, $1,000 to $1,500 if it is larger.(Helaine Fendelman and Joe Rosson are the authors of the "Price It Yourself" (HarperResource, $19.95). Contact them at Treasures in Your Attic, P.O. Box 27540, Knoxville, TN 37927.)