Cristofano Roncalli, called Il Pomarancio

Sale, London, Christie's, 20 April 1993, lot 25, purchased by Ralph Holland

Laid down. A few horizontal creases in the paper, two more visible in the lower half of the sheet. The white heightening has slightly oxidised. Otherwise in fairly good condition.
"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."

This impressive, large figure study is a preliminary drawing for the mosaic of Saint Athanasius, one of the pendentives representing the Fathers of the Church in the Cappella Clementina, Saint Peter's, Rome.¹  Roncalli began work on the pendentives in 1599 and the project was completed in 1601.  The final modelli are at Chatsworth.²

A copy after Roncalli's figure of Saint Athanasius is at the Louvre.³

1.  I.C. Di Sorio, Cristoforo Roncalli, detto Il Pomarancio, Bergamo 1983, p. 165, fig. 4 
2.  M. Jaffé, The Devonshire Collection of Italian Drawings - Roman and Neapolitan Schools, London 1994, pp. 172-173, nos. 299-302
3.  F. Viatte, Musée du Louvre...Dessins Toscans XVI^e-XVIII^e Siècles, vol. 1 1560-1640, Paris 1988, p.198, no. 389, reproduced