Giovanni Francesco Romanelli, called Viterbese

The following condition report has been provided by Simon Parkes of Simon Parkes Art Conservation, Inc. 502 East 74th St. New York, NY 212-734-3920, simonparkes@msn.com, an independent restorer who is not an employee of Sotheby's. This painting has not been recently restored. There is an inch wide addition across the top edge and it seems as if the bottom edge may have also been extended. The picture is quite dirty. Although there may be a non-original glaze over some parts of the sky, the condition seems to be quite good in general. The lips have lost some of their glaze, and they have recently been cleaned and slightly retouched. Under ultraviolet light, one can see a strong fluorescence of the mouth.
"This lot is offered for sale subject to Sotheby's Conditions of Business, which are available on request and printed in Sotheby's sale catalogues. The independent reports contained in this document are provided for prospective bidders' information only and without warranty by Sotheby's or the Seller."

This Saint Cecilia is an autograph replica of Romanelli's picture in the Capitoline Picture Gallery, Rome (inv. 186). The Rome version is displayed in an oval frame, and its only compositional difference with the present work is the inclusion of a somewhat modified stone ledge.  The delicate coloring, bust length format, and distinctive rouge lips of this St. Cecilia are typical of Romanelli. In this regard it bears marked similarities with his Sybil, sold London, Sotheby's, 8 December 2004, lot 42. 

Romanelli was born in Viterbo and moved early to Rome where he was part of the circle of artists and intellectuals protected by Pope Urban VIII and Cardinal Francesco Barberini.  He was first recorded as a pupil of Domenichino and, in 1631, as the assistant to Pietro da Cortona on the decoration of the Palazzo Barberini.  He enjoyed a good reputation and was called for important commissions including a cycle of frescoes for the Vatican. Simultaneously, he worked under Bernini and decorated several Roman churches and palaces.

In 1644, the death of Urban VIII led to the fall and exile of the Barberini family.  From 1646 to 1647, with the help of the cardinal, Romanelli travelled to Paris where he was asked to decorate the gallery of Mazarin House (today known as the National Library) illustrating the history of Rome.  He was again called to Paris from 1654 to 1657 to paint the ceilings of the apartments of the Queen Regent, Anne of Austria, in the Louvre.

We are grateful to Dr. Ursula Fischer Pace for endorsing the attribution to Romanelli, based on photographs.