Pier Leone Ghezzi Rome 1674 - 1755

Lord Braybrooke, by 1798;
by descent, until sold, London, Sotheby's, 10 December 1979, lot 52

Alexis was the capable head mason in the household of Cardinal Melchior de Polignac (1654-1747), whose entourage was depicted by Ghezzi in a series of 152 caricatures, originally bound in two volumes and sold at Sotheby's in 1979 (see Provenance).  According to the bookplates in the front of these albums, they were in the posession of Lord Braybrooke by 1798.  The Cardinal was the French Ambassador to Rome between 1724 and 1730, during which time he became friends with the artist.  Another version of this caricature, dated 2 August 1725, is in the Vatican Library (Fondo Ottoboni Latino, inv. no. 3115, f.189).  See also the following lot.