Girolamo Troppa

Bears two unidentified collector's paraphes, verso

Unframed. Laid down on card. Scattered foxing. The drawing is stronger and darker than the catalogue illustration and appears to be in quite good condition. The paper is not as pale or pink as it appears in the catalogue.
"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."

Troppa was active in Rome from 1656, where he was influenced by artists such as Mola and Giacinto Brandi.  He collaborated with Beinaschi, Daniel Seiter and also Gaulli, with whom he worked on the decoration of the church of Santa Marta in the 1670s.  Troppa's previously neglected activity as a draughtsman was explained at length in two articles by Eric Schleier published in the early 1990s.¹ 

The present sheet is unconnected but the use of wash, reminiscent of Mola, is characteristic of Troppa's work.  It compares, in particular, with two drawings representing the Passion of Christ, in the Kunstmuseum, Düsseldorf, which were first attributed to Troppa by Jörg Merz.  Schleier notes that the pair of drawings anticipates the style of Venetian masters of the 18th Century such as Diziani.²

1. E. Schleier, 'Disegni di Girolamo Troppa nelle Collezioni Tedesche e altrove', in Antichità Viva, no. 6, 1990, pp. 23-34 and idem, 'Aggiunte a Girolamo Troppa pittore e disegnatore', in Antichità Viva, no. 9, 1993, pp. 16-23
2. E. Schleier, op. cit., 1993, pp. 21-2, figs. 17-18