Giovanni Francesco Barbieri, called Il Guercino

Robert Udny (L.2248);
bears shelf mark on the verso of the mount: 307/a.^b 7sq.^a;
sale, London, Sotheby's, 5 July 2006, lot 55

Laid down on an old Udny mount, some foxing, as visible in the catalogue. Two small losses at the lower part of the turban, and another in the girl's right armpit. A very small tear at the upper right corner, and a very small loss at the bottom right corner. The paper has browned slightly, but the medium is still in reasonably good condition.
"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."

At the time of the 2006 sale Nicholas Turner suggested a date around the mid 1640s for this drawing and pointed out the similarity with the pose of a female figure in the centre of a later red chalk drawing of a mysterious subject with four women and a naked infant, now at Windsor (see D. Mahon and N. Turner, The Drawings of Guercino at Windsor Castle, Cambridge 1989, cat. no. 230, reproduced pl. 214).