Candido Vitali (Italian, 1680-1753) A scarlet macaw in a landscape; Doves with a jay in a classical landscape A pair, oil on canvas each 241 x 159cm, in black and gilt frames (2) Provenance: Private collection, Essex. Candido Vitali (1680-1753) was a Bolognese painter of the late Baroque period. Born in Bologna, he trained under Carlo Cignani (1628-1719) and devoted himself to painting still lifes of animals, birds, flowers and fruit. The birds depicted include classic continental aviary pigeons, most likely from the Tumbler family, with early Austrian decorative farmyard fowl, and at a push Sulmtalers, and other native breeds. This pair of bird paintings were likely to have been designed to hang between windows in an Italian palazzo. We are grateful to Ivor Parrish for his assistance with the catalogue entry. Condition report: Both works are in oil on canvas supports with vertical seams which have been lined. Old tears in the original canvases have been repaired. Passages of the paint layer have a raised and cupped surface with some sharp edges. There are scattered areas of retouching across the paintings covering old damages, cracks and losses. The retouchings are slightly matte compared to the surrounding paint layer. The varnish is clear and glossy with a slightly uneven surface gloss due to the texture and old retouchings. Around the edges of the varnish is abraded due to framing. There is a light layer of surface dirt and possibly some mould forming along the lower edges. The painted surface of the frames is worn, notably at the corners.