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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.