Lot 17
  • 17

Domenico Zampieri, called Domenichino

Estimate
30,000 - 40,000 GBP
bidding is closed

Description

  • Domenico Zampieri, called Domenichino
  • recto: study of a draped standing female figure; verso: study of the head of a bearded man seen almost in profile
  • Black chalk heightened with white chalk on blue paper (recto and verso);
    bears old attribution and numbering recto in pencil: Domenichino 361, and on the verso in pen and ink: Domenichino No26

Condition

It appears that an old mount covered two fingers all around the standing figure of the old man which has been re-touched leaving some thining of the paper in some places along the line and a tear along the right end side which has been repaired with japan paper the bottom edge appears damaged. The verso must have been shown as recto sometime in the past and the chalk appears slightly rubbed. The remains of an old mount go all around the figure on the recto showing that both sides must have been exhibited as the recto in the past. The Chalk on the recto is fine although the paper is slightly buckled.
"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. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

Catalogue Note

Very characteristic of the chalk studies by Domenichino, this sheet also has a traditional attribution to the artist. It appears not to be connected, but such a standing female figure, influenced by classical antiquity, could have been a study for one of the female allegorical figures all'antica on the central panels on the encasements of the four windows of the chapel of the Abbey of Grottaferrata.  They represent the four Cardinal and the three Theological Virtues, with the addition of Fame.  The drawings for these figures are mostly in the Royal Collection at Windsor Castle.1

The head of the bearded man on the verso is also quite reminiscent of some of Domenichino's male heads, see for instance the head of Polieuto in the fresco St. Nilus Curing the Son of Polieuto, in the chapel of the SS. Fondatori in the Abbey of Grottaferrata.The important fresco cycle at the Greek monastery at Grottaferrata outside Rome was completed in 1610 for Odoardo Farnese.

1. See Richard Spear, Domenichino, London 1982, vol. I, pp.167-8, nos 35.XXX. to 35.XXXVII, reproduced vol. II, pls. 110-118
2. See idem, vol. I, p. 162, no. 35.IV, reproduced vol. II, pl. 77