Attributed to Francesco Albani

M. Marchetti;
Padre Sebastiano Resta;
John, Lord Somers (L.2981, with his numbering lower right: d.63);
Jonathan Richardson, Senior (on the remains of his mount, with his attribution Albano and his shelf number on the back: AA. 13);
Ray Livingston Murphy, New York (1923-1953),
sold from his estate, London, Christie's, 12 December 1985, lot 167 (as Attributed to Francesco Albani), purchased by Ralph Holland

Laid down. Some surface dirt. Otherwise fine.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

In the Christie's sale, it was noted that this and other drawings from Murphy's collection were removed from an album which had been assembled in England in the mid-18th century and which contained many drawings from the collection of Jonathan Richardson, Senior, perhaps bought at his sale in 1747.

The entry for this drawing in the Lansdowne manuscript of the Resta-Somers collection held at the British Museum reads as follows: Di Fran:^co Albano quando seguitiva Annibale / M'era parso d'Ag.^o Carracci, poi d'Ant.^o Scalvati, ma / riveduto in altro libro il disegno del Ritratto dell'Albano / fatto da lui med.^o l'ho ascritto a lui ma non si dovra / imputar ad arrore, se si terra per d'Agostino o d'Annibale.  Scalvati was a pupil of Passerotti who moved to Rome and worked in the Vatican, as well as painting portraits of several Popes.  Nothing is known of his drawings, but it is interesting that Resta even proposed his name.  The slight resemblance of this sitter to the portrait by Sacchi of Albani as an older man¹ might indicate it is a self-portrait.

1.  Madrid, Prado; C.R. Puglisi, Francesco Albani, New Haven 1999, p. 43, fig. 19