Northern Artist active in Venice second half of the 16th Century

Galerie de Bayser, Paris; acquired in 2002

Laid down on japan paper. Cut down from a bigger sheet, there are traces of two folds, one horizontal and one vertical. Some repaired losses at the bottom and on the left-hand margin, some staining scattered on the page. Not in perfect condition.
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The style of this drawing is very influenced by Venetian artists such as Palma il Giovane and it is very likely that it is the work of a northern artist working in Venice. Contact between Venice and the North was extensive, and generally encouraged from both sides. The city is, of course, relatively close to Germany, and the art coming from Venice as well the esteem in which Venetian painters were held in Northern countries created a continuous stream of artists coming to the city of Venice to be trained, and to absorb the lessons of Titian, Veronese and Tintoretto.