Attributed to Giovanni Battista Gaulli, called Il Baciccio

This intense and moving Head of an Old Man has many elements that are characteristic of Gaulli's style and technique.  It relates most closely to St. Andrew with the Cross (Genoa, Galleria di Palazzo Reale, inv. 1232) and Head of a Saint (formerly, Galleria Zabert, Turin).¹  In each, the artist uses a very painterly approach, almost scratching into the layers of paint surface, to model the flesh tones, wild beards and hair of the figures, and he uses contrasts of light and dark to create a sense of heightened drama.  Also, in each, the artist reveals the influence of the portrait technique of van Dyck and Rubens whose work he would have seen in his native Genoa, and Bernini, one of Gaulli's earliest and most influential supporters in Rome.

In this figure, with wild, flowing hair, partly open mouth (as though he were about to speak), and downward-focused gaze, the artist creates a sympathetic portrait of an old man.  The sense of movement and drama that the artist creates in the present painting makes this work typical of Roman High Baroque figure painting for which Gaulli is so revered.

 

1  See F. Petrucci in, Giovan Battista Gaulli, called il Baciccio 1639-1709, exhibition catalogue, Milan 1999, pp. 213 - 215. cat. no. 52a.

The following condition report has been provided by Simon Parkes of Simon Parkes Art Conservation, Inc. 502 East 74th St. New York, NY 212-734-3920, simonparkes@msn.com , an independent restorer who is not an employee of Sotheby's. This lovely sketch is in very fresh and original condition. The canvas is unlined and has never been removed from its original stretcher. The surface is quite uneven but efforts should be made to retain its unlined condition, while settling down some of the lumps and bumps to the surface. Portions of the face have been cleaned while other areas remain uncleaned, yet one can clearly see that the condition is excellent. If the painting were to be properly cleaned, lightly varnished and the canvas relaxed, the picture would be in need of very little retouching, only to address a small loss in the center left and any other small losses that we are unaware of. The picture is in lovely condition.
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.
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