Francesco Piranesi

Sale, New York, Sotheby's, 21 January 2004, lot 101 (as Attributed to Giovanni Paolo Panini)

Glued to the mount at the upper margin. Some light brown staining throughout (very faint). Some staining at the upper left and right corners where the sheet has been glued down. A few creases in the sheet. A tiny dot of red/brown gouache at the level of his knee of his extended leg. Otherwise chalk remains fresh and strong. Sold in a simple gilded frame.
"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."

We are grateful to Dr. Andrew Robison for attributing the drawing to Francesco Piranesi.  Dr. Robison considers this an early work and dates it to around 1775/7.  He suggests that the figure is based on or copies one of Giovanni Battista Piranesi's drawings of the early 1750s.  It is reminiscent of Giovanni Battista's A Gentleman with a walking stick, in the National Gallery of Art, Washington (inv. no. 1980.40.1).