Baccio del Bianco

Acquired from Hans Calmann in 1954 by exchange (as Attributed to Guercino)

Hinge mounted along the left edge. There are what appear to be four old fold marks, the first of which runs horizontally through the centre of the sheet, the second vertically down the right half and two diagonal folds to the right half. There is evidence of some very minor surface dirt to the sheet and some very light foxing in places. The brown ink from the cropped love letter, verso, shows through very slightly in the lower left corner. The image remains strong throughout this humorous sheet.
"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."

This charming and highly caricatural drawing was previously attributed to Guercino, before David Scrase reattributed it to the 17th-century Florentine artist Baccio del Bianco.  According to a biography by his near contemporary Filippo Baldinucci "the thing in which Baccio del Bianco excelled, and was perhaps even unique, was inventing and drawing with the pen funny little stories, grotesqueries and caricature portraits which were so well made that they could make people die of laughter".¹

1. See J. Brooks, Graceful and True, Drawing in Florence c. 1600, exhib. cat., Oxford, Ashmolean Museum, and elsewhere, 2003-4, p. 53, note 3.