Attributed to Giovanni Battista Piazzetta

Sale, New York, Sotheby's, 8 January 1991, lot 216

Laid down on card. The sheet has fractionally discolored and the four edges have yellowed somewhat, possibly due to an old mount or adhesive. There are three small repaired tears to the left edge, the upper right edge and the upper left corner. There are areas that have been somewhat abraded and some groupings of small holes, notably to the gentleman's hat. There is evidence of surface dirt throughout and some very light foxing. The medium is still predominantly fresh and the image strong. Sold in a modern wood 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.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING CONDITION OF A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD "AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF SALE PRINTED IN THE CATALOGUE.

Piazzetta established his international reputation as a talented draftsman very early in his career.  Though known as a slow painter, he was able to draw quickly enough to produce large finished head studies, known as têtes de caractère, which were very much in demand from collectors and connoisseurs.  These captivating and beautiful drawings of heads and half figures were intended as works of art in their own right to be framed and displayed on walls alongside painted compositions.  Most were executed in black and white chalk on blue paper.  The popularity of Piazzetta's head studies grew when his work attracted the attention of engravers.

The present drawing appears to relate to a series of fourteen character studies by Piazzetta which were engraved by Giovanni Cattini for his set of plates entitled Icones ad vivum expressae, published in 1743.¹  The woman depicted here is a model recognisable from a number of Piazzetta's drawings and both models in the present sheet, the old man and the young woman, can also be seen in the drawing, A Bravo, a Girl, and an Old Woman, now at Windsor.²

^1. G. Knox, Piazzetta. A Tercentenary Exhibition of Drawings, Prints and Books, exhib. cat., Washington, D.C., National Gallery of Art, 1983, nos. 45-48

^2. Ibid., nos. 38 and 47