Attributed to Sebastiano Ricci Belluno 1659 - 1734 Venice

The present works relates stylistically to other head studies Ricci painted, the best known of which may be the series he executed copying Paolo Veronese's Feast in the House of Levi, which in the 18th century was still in the Refectory of the Dominican Convent of SS. Giovanni e Paolo, Venice (now Louvre).  These Ricci studies are in various collections, including Hampton Court (see J. Daniels, Sebastiano Ricci, Hove 1976, cat nos. 138-144, 474, and 485).  Other independent head studies by Ricci include a Study of Three Heads  (see Daniels, op. cit, cat no. 75).