Attributed to Corrado Giaquinto

Dr John Maxon (1916-1977), Chicago;
Anonymous sale, Chicago, Leslie Hindman, 14 June 1992, lot 228;
Anonymous sale, New York, Christie's, 5 February 2003, lot 313;
There acquired by the family of the late collector.

Bari, Italy, Castello Normanno Svevo, Giaquinto: Capolavori dalle Corti in Europa, 23 April - 20 June 1993, no. 29.

Giaquinto: Capolavori dalle Corti in Europa, Milan 1993, pp. 176-177, no. 29, reproduced. 

This oil on paper laid down on canvas is stable. A decorative image reads well with some thinness to the paint, for example at edges, but this is usual for a sketch. There is some minor loss to the corners, but this is not too distracting and barely visible when framed. There appears to be two diagonal dents of about 3 in. at the bottom left quadrant, but these are not distracting. Inspection under UV shows scattered strokes of evenly applied retouches throughout, with more concentrated areas on the clouds and in between the figure slaying the dragon and the angel flying at his right. What could possibly be old repairs fluoresce: one is a thin line at upper center, which is faintly visible to the naked eye, meanwhile the other is at bottom center and appears as three separate small spots. The sketch can hang in its present condition. Offered in a carved, gilded 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.

One of the previous owners of the present painting, John Maxon (see Provenance), was the vice president of the collections and exhibitions in the Art Institute of Chicago. He was a specialist in 16th Century Venetian paintings, and published many articles. Before joining the Art Institute of Chicago, Mr. Maxon served as director for the Spencer Museum of Art, Kansas, and the RISD Museum, Rhode Island. At the center right of this painting Minerva presents to Jupiter and Juno a female figure with a spear and shield, which is said to be the personification of Spain. This modello, or sketch, relates to a ceiling painting designed by Corrado Giaquinto and executed by one of his collaborators for the Palazzo Santa Croce, Palermo circa 1751, which is now located in the Palazzo Rondanini-Sanseverino, Rome.