Francesco Zuccarelli Pitigliano, Umbria 1702 - 1788 Florence

Although this charming portrait was published in the 1930s as Jacopo Amigoni, stylistically it compares very well with the few known drawn portraits by Zuccarelli.  A similar study, of a young lady at an easel, was sold in these Rooms in July 1984, and at the time was given to Zuccarelli by James Byam Shaw.

The attribution is borne out by the apparent identity of the sitter.  His direct gaze, and the brushes and paper that he brandishes, point to this being a self-portrait, and indeed, when compared with Richard Wilson's 1751 portrait of Zuccarelli, the features are remarkably similar.  Although the artist seems younger in our portrait, the same high forehead, broad eyes, and long nose are readily discernible (see D. H. Solkin, Richard Wilson, exhib. cat., London, Tate Gallery, 1982-3, p. 177, cat. no. 59). Wilson referred proudly to the painting in a letter which he wrote to Admiral Smith, on 8 June 1751: ''Sig^r Zuccarelli a famous Painter of this place made me an Offer of his painting me a picture for a portrait of himself w^ch I am doing with great pleasure'' (Solkin, loc. cit.).  It should be noted that it was Zuccarelli who encouraged Wilson to concentrate on landscape painting rather than portraiture, although whether this was before or after seeing his own portrait is unknown.