GIOVANNA GARZONI | Portrait of a North African, possibly an Abyssinian

Estimate

5,000 - 8,000 GBP

Sold

52,500 GBP

bidding is closed

Description

Giovanna Garzoni
Portrait of a North African, possibly an Abyssinian
Watercolour and bodycolour on vellum, mounted on card, gilt-metal frame;signed and dated verso: Giovanna Garzoni F. / Torino 1635
58 by 48 mm.

Provenance

Sale, Geneva, Christie's, 14 November 1989, lot 209

Literature

Casale, 1991, pp. 19 & 55, no. A5

Catalogue Note

Painted while Garzoni was working in Turin for the Duke of Savoy, this remarkable portrait appears to be one of the earliest depictions, in miniature painting, of a native African sitter. His identity is currently unknown, however the richness of his clothes may indicate that he held a position at Court.