Baldassare Franceschini, called Il Volterrano

Sale, London, Sotheby's, 8 July 1998, lot 20, where bought by the present owner

Unframed. A few minor light brown spots towards the edges of the recto. A small crease at the bottom edge and two at the top, which all appear to be faults in the paper. The red and white chalk is particularly fresh. The recto has two very pale diagonal red chalk lines, possibly perspective lines, leading from the lower corners towards the figure's forehead. On the verso a similar pale chalk line running vertically through the centre of the drapery. A small vertical area of thinning at the lower right corner. Both recto and verso in very good condition. The chalks are much stronger and darker than the catalogue reproduction.
"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."

A comparison may be made with a self-portrait by Volterrano now in the Uffizi, painted between 1665-75 for Cardinal Leopoldo de' Medici.  There is an obvious likeness with the present sitter, though the painting clearly shows the artist somewhat later in life, looking considerably more corpulent.¹

Two self-portrait sketches by Volterrano (one in red chalk and the other in pen and brown ink) from the collection of Baldinucci are in the Louvre.²

1. Gli Uffizi, Catalogo Generale, Florence 1979, p. 1037, fig. A1011
2. R. Bacou and J. Bean, Disegni Fiorentini del Museo del Louvre, exhib. cat., Rome, Farnesina, 1959, nos. 61, 66, figs. 66-67