Giacinto Gimignani

Pierre Jean Mariette (L.1852),
his sale, Paris, F. Basan, Catalogue raisonné des différens objects de curiosités dans les sciences et arts, qui composoient le Cabinet de feu M^r Mariette..., Paris 1775, probably part of lot 193;
Hans Fürstenberg (L.3615),
his sale and others, London, Sotheby's, 9 July 1981, lot 115, reproduced p. 82, purchased by Ralph Holland 

Newcastle, 1982, no. 56, reproduced pl. XIII B

Hinged in few places to a modern mount. Some oxidization of the white heightening . The drawing appears to have been cleaned at some point in the past and the paper is slightly discolored. There is no evidence of a Mariette mount
"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."

Ellis Waterhouse identified this, in a letter to Ralph Holland, as the preparatory study for Gimignani's painting of 1661 on the right-hand altar in S. Tommaso, Castel Gandolfo, a church commissioned by Pope Alexander VII, designed by Bernini and built between 1658-61.  The high altarpiece is by Pietro da Cortona.

We are indebted to Laure Barthélemy-Labeeuw for suggesting that the present sheet was probably part of lot 193 (Pietro da Cortona) in the Mariette sale: 'L' Enlévement au Ciel de St Ignacè & d'un autre Saint Evêque; un beau Groupe de plusieurs Anges entoure les figures principales de ces deux Sujets, qui sont exécutés au bistre, rehaussé de blanc.' 

Ursula Fisher Pace in her dissertation on Gimignani (1973) mentions Cochin's remarks on the altarpiece, which he saw on his trip to Italy with the Marquis de Marigny.  Cochin writes: 'Dans la chapelle à droite, on voit un tableau qui a de la beauté. Il est correctement dessiné: mais il y a de la froideur & de la sécheresse, d'ailleurs peu de magie de clair-obscur.'¹

St. Thomas of Villanova (1488-1555) was made Archbishop of Valencia by Charles V.  He was outstanding in his humility and charity and did much to assist the poor and sick.  He was canonised in 1658.

1.  N. Cochin, Voyage d'Italie ou Recueil de Notes sur les Ouvrages de Peinture & de Sculpture, qu'on voit dans les principales villes D'Italie, Paris 1769, p. 118