- 269
Giovanni Battista Trotti, called il Malosso
Estimate
7,000 - 9,000 GBP
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Description
- Giovanni Battista Trotti, called il Malosso
- Mercury
- Pen and brown ink and grey wash, squared for transfer in red chalk;
bears old attribution to Malosso on fragment of old mount: Trotti Cav: Gio: Batista detto il Malosso;
bears inscription in pen and brown ink, verso: Trotti detto Il / Cavaglier Malosso
Provenance
Sale, Sotheby's, London, 6 March 1973, lot 242, purchased by Ralph Holland
Exhibited
Newcastle, 1974, no. 39;
London, 1975, no. 27
London, 1975, no. 27
Literature
M. Di Giampaolo, 'Per il Malosso Disegnatore,' Arte Illustrata, no. 57, March 1974, pp. 21, 31, fig. 38
Condition
There is evidence of some surface dirt throughout the sheet with two old pin prick holes; one to the left of Mercury and the other to the lower right edge of his drapery. There is evidence of an old repair to the lower right corner, however this is very small and does not detract from the overall aesthetic of the sheet. There is some minor rubbing to the hand in the upper right corner, otherwise the pen and ink and wash is still very fresh.
"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."
"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."
Catalogue Note
Mario Di Giampaolo suggests that this drawing is probably a study for a 'Mercurio bellissimo' recorded in Piacenza in the 18th century by Giambattista Zaist as being discernible on the façade of a house decorated by Malosso with 'profane Deita'.1
Di Giampaolo suggests a date of circa 1585-90. This is borne out by the close resemblance of this Mercury's head to that of the Virgin in the altarpiece of the Deposition in the Pinacoteca del Museo Civico "Ala Ponzone", Cremona, which is dated 1586.
1. G.B. Zaist, Notizie istoriche de' pittori, scultori ed architetti Cremonesi, Cremona 1774, ed. Rome 1965, pp. 37-39