Girolamo Francesco Maria Mazzola, called Parmigianino

Herbert  E. Feist;
Dr. Edgar Plan, Vienna

A.E. Popham, Catalogue of the Drawings of Parmigianino, New Haven and London 1971, vol. I, p. 228, no. 796, reproduced vol. III, pl. 340;
E. Battisti, 'Ecce Virgo ecce habet lampades. Il Parmigianino alla Steccata', Santa Maria della Steccata a Parma, Parma 1982, p. 189, reproduced p. 127;
S. Béguin, M. di Giampaolo, M. Vaccaro, Parmigianino, The Drawings, Turin/London 2000, p. 210, under no. 119 (entry by di Giampaolo);
A. Gnann, Parmigianino, Die Zeichnungen, Petersberg 2007, p. 473, no. 766, reproduced p. 579

Laid down on old piece of paper. In two or three places it hasn't been properly glued on the backing sheet - to the right and a little to the left margin, creating lumps in the paper. A crease at the bottom left corner. Some surface dirt and four pinpoint holes at the corners. Chalk not very strong, possibly the drawing was used to make a counterproof.
"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. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

The canephori are painted at the base of the vault in the Parmese church of Santa Maria della Steccata, a commission which Parmigianino undertook in May 1530 but which was never completed.  Popham, in his catalogue of Parmigianino drawings, writes that the position of the figure in the present sheet closely resembles the sheet by Parmigianino with two canephori at Windsor.¹  It is particularly close to the figure to the left, very similar in the position of the head and arms, the raised left leg and the arrangement of the drapery.  Several other drawings are known relating to the canephori, which are inspired by classical sources.²

1. See Popham, op. cit., vol. I, p. 198, no. 663, reproduced  vol. III, pl. 342
2. See Popham, op. cit., vol. I, p. 102, under no. 228