The Jeffrey E. Horvitz Collection of Italian Drawings

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Lot 9
  • 9

Giovanni Alberti

Estimate
18,000 - 22,000 USD
bidding is closed

Description

  • Giovanni Alberti
  • design for a decorative frieze with allegorical figures of geometry and astronomy
  • Pen and brown ink and wash over black chalk;
    inscribed, lower right: SIXTUS.V.P.M./A.N.V.M.D.X.C;
    bears old attribution in brown ink, lower right: GIO: ALBERTi;
    on the backing, bears inscription on the remains of the Resta mount: 56 GIO: ALBERTI DAL BORGO S.SEPO MOR 1601

Provenance

Padre Sebastiano Resta (L.2992, his numbering, lower right: l. 208);
With Hazlitt, Gooden and Fox, London; acquired 1997

Condition

Laid down on the remains of a Padre Resta mount, although this has been trimmed to the edge of the drawing so the mount is only visible on the reverse. General condition quite good, some abrasion towards the margins. An old tear from the right margin at the level of the foot of Geometry. The tip of the lower left corner missing.
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.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING CONDITION OF A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD "AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF SALE PRINTED IN THE CATALOGUE.

Catalogue Note

This study of an elaborate frieze is linked with two other studies attributed to Giovanni Alberti, a member of a large and prolific family of artists. The first, formerly in a private collection in Prato, was first published with the attribution to Giovanni by Kristina Herrmann-Fiore in her exhibition catalogue: Disegni degli Alberti.1 This drawing appears very similar to the present study and most probably relates to the same commission for Pope Sixtus V Peretti (1585-1590), as it bears his coat of arms.  The Horvitz drawing, which concentrates on the allegorical figures of Astronomy and Geometry flanked by putti, bears an inscription with this pontiff's name, and the date of 1590. Similar motifs were used by the Alberti brothers for the decoration of the Sala del Concistoro in the Vatican Palace.  

The second study that is particularly close in style to the present drawing is in the Louvre (inv.no.1371).2  Traditionally ascribed to Cesare Nebbia, the Louvre sheet was correctly attributed by Philip Pouncey; it relates to another Roman commission received by the Alberti brothers, the decoration of the Palazzo Ruggieri-Serafini, executed in 1591.  An additional drawing from the Alberti bottega -- given by Kristina Herrmann-Fiore to Giovanni's brother, Cherubino -- employs a similar decorative structure for another frieze.3 


1. K. Herrmann-Fiore, Disegni degli Alberti, exhibition catalogue, Rome, Villa Farnesina, 1983-4 , pp. 104-5, reproduced, rif. 48,

2. John Gere, Il Manierismo a Roma, Milan 1971, pp. 90-1, reproduced p. 74, fig. 31

3. Hermann-Fiore, op.cit., pp. 104-5, no. 48, reproduced