Jacopo Confortini

Acquired by exchange with Dr. Birdman, Newcastle, circa 1956

Newcastle, 1964, no. 38

Laid down. Irregular sheet, lower margin. A small circular brown stain lower left corner. Staining around the right margin. Inscriptions, verso, slightly visible on recto. A tiny hole, upper left, in line with the top of St. Michael's head. Red chalk remains strong.
"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 lively drawing of Saint Michael is similar to Confortini's red chalk studies of musicians.¹  There is a strong sense of movement in his figures, with the characteristic use of looped strokes to denote hair. 

Other studies exist by Confortini of standing or half-length saints shown with their attributes: a half-length figure of St. Peter is at Christ Church, Oxford² and another study of St. James the Great was sold, in these Rooms, 25 June 1970, lot 42.  These depictions of saints do not appear to be connected to any surviving works.

Ralph Holland's note in the 1964 exhibition catalogue indicates that the attribution to Confortini was first suggested by Philip Pouncey. 

1.  For example, Two Musicians playing a Chitarrone and a Violin, with a subsidiary study of the second musician, sold, London, Christie's, 4 July 1995, lot 47

2.  J. Byam Shaw, Drawings by Old Masters at Christ Church Oxford, Oxford 1976, vol. I, pp. 101-102, no. 293, reproduced vol. II, pl. 180