Jan van den Hoecke

Probably in the dal Pozzo Collection, Palazzo dal Pozzo, via dei Chiavari, Rome;
Probably thence by descent to Cosimo Antonio dal Pozzo (1684-1740) who initiated the dispersal of the collection.

D. L. Sparti, 'The dal Pozzo collecton again: the inventories of 1689 and 1695 and the family archive', in The Burlington Magazine, vol. CXXXII, August 1990, pp. 559, 565.

 

The copper plate is essentially flat and stable although there is an area of old unevenness lower centre. The paint surface is secure and in good condition under an old varnish. Inspection under UV light is impeded by the aforementioned varnish. Offered in a stained wood, northern style, rectangular frame in good condition if a little rubbed in places.
"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."

Francesco dal Pozzo served as Captain of the troops to the Duke of Savoy before his death in 1625 at the age of thirty two. Although biographical detail is sparse, Francesco came from an illustrious Piedmontese family, prominent in government and civic affairs. His father, Antonio dal Pozzo (d. 1619), who like his father before him, served as the legal adviser to the Duke of Savoy and President of the Senate of Turin, and it is presumably through this family connection that Francesco established his career. The best known member of the family was his elder brother, the internationally acclaimed scholar Cassiano dal Pozzo (1588-1657). Cassiano served as Secretary to Cardinal Francesco Barberini, a post he maintained until Barberini’s exile in 1645, resuming the role upon the election of his long-standing friend Fabio Chigi in 1655. His job afforded him the opportunity to pursue his cultural interests and alongside the youngest brother, Carlo Antonio dal Pozzo II (1606-1689) he built up a large and distinguished collection of paintings, mainly by contemporary artists. His patronage extended to Nicolas Poussin, who he had supported since his arrival in Rome in 1624, and from whom he commissioned The Seven Sacraments in the 1630’s. Housed in the dal Pozzo Palazzo on the Via dei Chiavari, the collection also included prints, medals, antiquities, drawings and one of the most comprehensive records of classical culture in the form of systematically catalogued archaeological drawings. After Carlo Antonio’s death in 1689, the collection that he and Cassiano had built up passed to his son Gabriele dal Pozzo (d. 1695), before passing by descent to his grandson Cosimo Antonio dal Pozzo (d. 1740) who initiated its dispersal.