Antonio Maria Viani

Light brown staining around the edges of the sheet and a brown stains located above his outstretched arm. There is a ridge in the paper near the upper left corner. Tip of upper left corner is missing. Red chalk remains strong and vibrant.
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.

Born in Cremona, Antonio Maria Viani was a pupil of Giulio Campi.  Very little is known about the early Cremonese part of his career but the subsequent period when he worked for the Bavarian court at Munich is well documented.  In Munich he collaborated with Candid and Sustris on the decoration of the Antiquarium and the Grottenhof in the Residenz, and he married Sustris' daughter, Livia.  Later in 1592 Viani is recorded as being in Mantua, where he spent the rest of his career, working for Vicenzo I Gonzaga. The present figure, executed in red chalk, is depicted seated in the clouds, and is most likely preparatory for one of Viani's fresco decorations.  For other similar studies in red chalk see G. Bora and M. Zlatohlavek, Il Cinquecento da Praga a Cremona, exhib.cat., Cremona, Museo Civico, 1997-98, nos. 207-211.