Baldassare Croce

Sale, London, Christie's, 4 July 1984, lot 174 (as Circle of Giovanni Baglione, with an old attribution on the backing, now lost: Cavaliere Giovanni Baglioni Romano), purchased by Ralph Holland

Laid down. A loss to a large area of the upper left corner and another equally substantial loss at the lower margin in the middle and the left bottom corner missing and made up. A tear running from the upper edge near the angel to the left to the figures gathered below. The paper must have discolored and the drawing surface has suffered.
"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."

Typical  of Croce's style, the attribution was proposed by Ralph Holland who compared it to a study in the Metropolitan Museum, attributed to the artist by Philip Pouncey and identified as preparatory for one of the scenes from the story of Susanna and the Elders painted by Croce in the church of S. Susanna, Rome.¹

1.  J. Bean, 15th and 16th Century Italian Drawings in the Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York 1982, p. 73, no. 61, reproduced