Follower of Giovanni de' Busi, called Cariani

With Dr. Fritz Rothman, Berlin 1927;
With van Diemen (Dr. Benedikt), Berlin 1930 (as Cariani);
Their forced liquidation sale: Berlin, Paul Graupe, 26-27 April 1935, vol.II, lot 10;
With Arthur Goldschmidt, Berlin 1935 (probably acquired at the above sale);
Acquired from the above by William Randolph Hearst, California in 1935;
Restituted to the heirs of Jacob and Rosa Oppenheimer from the State of California at Hearst Castle in 2009.

Cicerone, vol. XX, March 1928, No. 6 (reproduced on the title page);
E.G. Troche, "G. Cariani als Bildnis maler", in Pantheon, 1932, p.7, no. 35 (as Cariani);
E.G. Troche, "Giovanni Cariani", in Jahrbuch der preussischen Kunstsammlungen, 1934, vol. LV, p.117 and 124, reproduced fig. 90 (as Cariani);
L. Gallina, Giovanni Cariani, Bergamo 1954, p. 123 (as Cariani?);
P. Dessy, Giovanni Busi, detto Cariani, university thesis, 1960, p. 153;
B.B. Fredericksen, Handbook of the paintings in the Hearst San Simeon State Historical Monument, 1976, reproduced fig. 7;
R. Pallucchini & F. Rossi, Giovanni Cariani, Milan 1983, p. 276, cat. no. A20, reproduced (under 'Dipinti attributi' and described as 'Scuola di Tiziano, 1560 ca.').

The canvas has a recent relining and a synthetic board has been secured to the back. The paint surface is secure if a little abraded. Inspection under UV light reveals many scattered retouchings, some strengthening to the sitter's arms, hands and face and some more substantial areas of repaint either to ares of old damage, or more likely to areas in which the paint has worn severely. These include a large proportion of the book lower right, a large 18 by 12 cm area upper right and a smaller area of 8 by 3 cm centre right. The is painting is offered unframed.
"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."

Troche, who attributed the painting to Cariani in 1932, proposed a dating after 1536. Pallucchini and Rossi, while accepting its links to the late works of Cariani, consider the painting to be by an imitator  of Titian, active in the second half of the 16th century.