Ubaldo Gandolfi

Hinged to the mount at the upper margin. Scattered foxing. A few brown stains, one more noticeable at the right hand margin. Small nick in the sheet, bottom left corner and the tip of the lower right corner is missing. Medium remains fresh and 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 figure of a man firing a crossbow appears to be drawn from life.   Although a good number of Ubaldo's chalk - usually red chalk - portrait drawings and academies from posed models are known, it is unusual to find him making a pen and ink study like this, quickly capturing a lively moment from life.  Throughout his career he primarily produced preparatory studies for his devotional paintings, genre subjects being much rarer in his oeuvre.  Stylistically, the fluid pen and ink lines seen here and the smooth and modulated overall effect are very characteristic of Ubaldo's penmanship.