Giovanni Battista Tiepolo

From the album Tomo terzo de caricature;
probably Count Bernardino Algarotti Corniani;
probably Breadalbane family;
Langton House, Dun, Berwickshire;
sale, Edinburgh, Dowells, 25 March 1925, lot 1004 (bought by J. Grant, bookseller, Edinburgh);
Arthur Kay, Edinburgh;
sale, London, Christie's, 9 April 1943;
H. Calmann;
Dr and Mrs Francis Springell (L.1049a),
their sale, London, Sotheby's, 30 June 1986, lot 75, where bought by the present owner

Unframed. Two modern hinges grip the drawing at the upper part of the sheet. The drawing appears to have once been glued onto an old album page. Light traces of glue at the right and left margins, more noticeable on the verso. Scattered light foxing. The upper right corner has some brown and grey staining from where the drawing was previously attached to another mount. There are a number of creases below the figure and at the upper right corner, although these are inherent to the paper rather than being later damage. The paper has slightly buckled at each corner, after having been detached from the previous mount. The ink and wash is still very fresh and much stronger than the catalogue illustration.
"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."

This very deft study of a man holding a portfolio, probably a lawyer, comes from an album of 107 caricatures, bound in gilt calf and titled Tomo terzo de caricature.  It was broken up at the time of the Christie's sale in 1943 and the contents are now scattered in public and private collections.  The drawings were almost all by Giovanni Battista and Knox believes they were mostly works from 1754-62.  The album seems to have stayed in the possession of Gian Domenico and often served him as inspiration.  Its subsequent  history is clearly explained by George Knox in his exhibition catalogue of 1970.¹

1. G. Knox, Tiepolo, A Bicentenary Exhibition, exhib. cat., Cambridge, Mass., The Fogg Art Museum, 1970, under no. 87