Giovanni Battista Tiepolo

The Library of the Somasco Convent (Santa Maria della Salute), Venice;
Count Leopoldo Cicognara, Venice;
Antonio Canova, the sculptor;
his half- brother, Monsignor Giovanni Battista Sartori-Canova; 
Sig. Francesco Pesaro, Venice;
Edward Cheney (purchased in 1842);
by inheritance to his brother-in-law, Col. Alfred Capel-Cure, his sale, London, Sotheby's, 29 April 1885, lot 1024, where acquired by Parsons;
The Earl of Ranfurly;
P.& D.Colnaghi & Co, London;
Richard Owen, Paris;
Coe Kerr Gallery, New York (their label on the backing)

Sold in 19th Century carved wooden frame. The sheet is clear apart from a diagonal tear leading from the lower right, recently restored by Marjorie Shelley. Otherwise the condition is very good, the wash still strong.
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.

This drawing is one of a very considerable series of head studies which share the same provenance as the series of variations on the theme of The Holy Family.  The heads, amounting to ninety-three, were photographed when they belonged to Richard Owen, and a set of these prints are preserved in the library of the Fogg Museum.  After the death of Owen, some of the studies which were still in his collection passed through Colnaghi's and were listed in their exhibition catalogue: Exhibition of Old Master Drawings, April 29th to May 30th, 1952.  George Knox proposes a date of circa 1760 for the series.¹  A very similar head of a magician, but seen almost in profile, was sold London, Christie's, 9 December 1982, lot 197, reproduced p. 48.

1. See Tiepolo, A Bicentenary Exhibition, exhibition catalogue, Cambridge, Fogg Art Museum, 1970, no. 93, reproduced