Giovanni Francesco Barbieri, called Il Guercino

Casa Gennari;
Giorgio Dalla Bella (L.3774)

Laid down on canvas. A number of creases in the sheet. There is a tear along the left margin. There are also small tears along the right margin. Canvas support is visible at upper left corner. The sheet has discoloured however the red chalk still 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. 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 representation of the kneeling Virgin appears to be related to Guercino's Annunciation of 1638-39, painted for the main altar of the church of the Ospedale Maggiore, Milan, and still in situ (fig. 1).  The present drawing shows interesting differences from the painted version, where the Virgin is wearing a veil and looking down.  The position of the hands, however, is very similar and the graphic style of this drawing is consistent with Guercino's work of the late 1630s.  Several drawings for the painting have survived.¹  A pen and wash drawing for the whole composition, in which the Madonna is similarly looking up to God the Father, is in the Szépmüvészeti Múzeum, Budapest.² 

The present sheet, like many from the Casa Gennari, is pasted on a piece of canvas.

1.  For a discussion of the preparatory drawings for this picture, see D. Mahon and N. Turner, The Drawings of Guercino,...at Windsor Castle, Cambridge 1989, p. 57, no. 97
2.  Ibid., p. 58, reproduced fig. 21