Possibly Giovanni Battista Piazzetta - The Allegorical Tomb of John Somers, Lord Chancellor Somers (1651-1716) (after Canaletto, Piazzetta and Cimaroli), circa 1725, 1530111, Giovanni Battista Piazzetta, circa 1725

Oil painting on canvas (grisaille [camaieu brun]; arched top), the allegorical tomb of john somers, lord chancellor somers (1651-1716), possibly giovanni battista piazzetta (venice 1682 - venice 1754), previously attributed to domenico maria fratta (1696-1763). In the foreground lie the robe, mace, woolsack and purse of the lord chancellor of england, and the sword of the sergeant-at-arms; they allude to somers's lord chancellorship (1697 - 1700) under william iii. The tomb is surmounted by allegorical figures of justice and peace. In the centre of the composition a bishop is borne towards the tomb surrounded by a group of eccelsiastics - the seven bishops. Date: circa 1725.