Alessandro Allori

Circular

Anonymous sale, London, Sotheby's, 9 December 2004, lot 172, where acquired by the present collector.

M. Scalini, "La Galleria delle Meraviglie", in Oggetti d'arte della famiglia Medici, exhibition catalogue, Beijing and Shanghai 1997, p. 42, reproduced.

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 work is painted on a small solid support. There is a slight concave curve to the panel on the left side, but the paint layer is stable. The gilding around the edges seems to be original. The varnish has become a little soft. There may be a few retouches in the upper left and upper right background, but the face and shoulders and neck are very well preserved. The beautiful frame is probably original.
"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."

Francesco I was the son of Cosimo de Medici and Eleonor of Toledo and ruled as second Grand Duke of Tuscany from 1574 until his death in 1587. The celebrated portrait of Francesco as a boy in the Uffizi in Florence was painted by Allori's mentor, Agnolo Bronzino, underlining the continuous close relationship between the Medici court and the leading artists of the day.¹

Datable to around 1558, the present painting was probably a gift  from Francesco to his sister Lucrezia on the occasion of her marriage to the Ferrarese Duke Alfonso II d'Este in June 1588. At the same time she is thought to have given Francesco a portrait of herself, which he is shown holding in another portrait by Allori in the Villa di Poggio Imperiale in Florence.²

The attribution has been endorsed by Professor Janet Cox-Rearick (written report to the present owner).

1. See E. Baccheschi, L'Opera completa del Bronzino, Milan 1973, p. 100, cat. no. 88, reproduced. 
2. See S. Lecchini Giovannoni, Alessandro Allori, Turin 1991, p. 303, cat. no. 180, reproduced fig. 414.