Bernardo Strozzi

Private collection, Zurich.

L. Mortari, Bernardo Strozzi, Rome 1995, p. 162, cat. no. 363, reproduced p. 162 and color plate XVII.

The paint surface is stable though appears to have been a little flattened in the relining. There are a number of thin, horizontal cracks in the paint surface visible in raking light, one running from the hand approximately 4 inches inwards, another in the lower part of the shawl, approximately 3 inches, and another just above it, approximately 5 inches. Inspection under UV reveals scattered retouching throughout the flesh tones, predominantly infilling losses along the craquelure pattern. There is a long line of old restoration with more recent retouches, running horizontally through the red drapery from the centre of the left hand edge approximately 14 inches inwards; another from the center of the chest to the fold of the shawl; and another running from the left hand edge just below her elbow running approximately 3 inches inwards. There is a small patch of overpainting on the forehead and in the upper right hand corner. The painting would benefit from a light clean and is offered in a carved, gilt wood frame.
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During the Renaissance and Baroque periods, the Roman martyr, Saint Cecilia, was first venerated as the patroness of musicians and church music.  She was a favorite subject of Strozzi who painted her at least fifteen times.  The painting is dateable to Strozzi's late Genoese period, before his move to Venice in circa 1630/31.

This painting will be included in the forthcoming catalogue raisonné of the works of Bernardo Strozzi by Camillo Manzitti.