Pietro Berrettini, called Pietro da Cortona

Sale, London, Sotheby's, 3 July 1980, lot 49, purchased by Ralph Holland

Newcastle, 1982, no. 45, reproduced pl. XIA

Hinged on four sides to a modern mount. Some old creases and edges crinkled from old mount. Good condition.
"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."

Although in the Sotheby's sale this drawing was catalogued as probably a preliminary idea for Cortona's ceiling fresco in the Sala di Venere in the Palazzo Pitti, Ralph Holland more convincingly related it to the ceiling of the Sala di Apollo.  A pen and ink drawing in Rome, which is considered Cortona's first idea for that ceiling, has many similarities with the present study, for example the globe to the left, which in the painting is held by Hercules, and the zodiacal band with figures flying in it, which does not appear in the final fresco.¹  A chalk study in the Uffizi, also related to the ceiling, is close in style to the present one.²  The decoration of the room was begun by Pietro da Cortona, but interrupted when he returned to Rome in 1647.  It was completed between 1659 and 1661 by Ciro Ferri, who had made new cartoons in Rome under Cortona's supervision.³

Two other sketches which must have come from the same album were lots 47 and 48 in the same Sotheby's sale as this.  Those were preliminary studies for Cortona's decoration of the Sala di Venere. 

1.  Rome, Gabinetto Nazionale delle Stampe, inv. no. 124327, see M. Campbell, Pietro da Cortona at the Pitti Palace, Princeton 1977, p. 274, no. 89, reproduced fig. 61
2.  Florence, Uffizi, inv. no. 11726F, see Campbell, op. cit., p. 275, no. 94, reproduced fig. 73
3.  Campbell, op. cit., pp. 205-218