Circle of Sofonisba Anguissola

George Greville, 2nd Earl of Warwick (1746-1816), by 1800;
Thence by descent.

Wellesley (Mass.), Davis Museum, on long term loan.

Anon., 'Pictures and Articles of Curiosity', in Inventory of the Contents of Warwick Castle,(Warwickshire Record Office CR1886/466), ms., circa 1800, n.p., ('Zucchero – Portrait of a boy with a racket and ball'), hanging in the End Room;
Anon., Inventory of the Contents of Warwick Castle, ms., 1806, ('Zucchero – Portrait of a Boy with a raquet and ball'), in the End Room;
W. Field, An Historical and Descriptive Account of Leamington Spa, Warwick 1815, pp. 182, 196 ('A boy with a racket and a ball - by Paul Veronese'), as in the State Dressing Room, over the mantle-piece;
W. Kendall, Inventory of Warwick Castle, ms. 1853, in the Compass Room;
Anon, Inventory of Warwick Castle, ms. circa 1860, in the Compass Room;
Anon, Inventory of the contents of Warwick Castle, ms. 1900, in the Morning Room.

The painting has an old relining and possible very old (19th century?) 8cm extension along the left margin. The paint surface has an old dirty varnish and thick surface dirt. There are a series of old damages along the top margin, and one above the racket. The paint surface is in tact, with some slight wear to to the boys head, and otherwise only very minor scattered retouchings.
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This is amongst the earliest representations of a tennis player and dates from a time in the 16th century when the game of Real or Royal tennis was at its zenith. It was played throughout the courts of western Europe, including by Kings Henry VII and VIII in England and by Francois I, Henri II, Charles IX and Henri IV in France where, in 1598, the Papal legate recorded over 250 courts in use. The game was equally popular in Italy and it was at the university of Parma in 1555 that Antonio Scaino de Salo published his seminal book Trattato del Giuoco della Palla, dedicated to his patron, Alfonso II, Duke of Ferrara. His lengthy analysis of 'il giuoco della corda' ('the game of the net') describes various methods of play including the use of rackets (as opposed to hands) for larger courts. The racket depicted here is of the earlist style and may be dated to circa 1555.¹

Another version was formerly in the Drury Lowe collection at Locko Park and sold London, Sotheby's, 6 December 1995, lot 23 (as Cremonese School, circa 1570).

1. See G. Clerici, Tennis, 1976, pp. 30-31, reproduced figs. 9 and 10.