Lot 79
  • 79

Biagio Pupini

Estimate
7,000 - 9,000 GBP
bidding is closed

Description

  • Biagio Pupini
  • The Birth of the Virgin
  • Point of the brush and brown wash heightened with white, over traces of black chalk, on faded blue paper;
    bears old attribution, lower left: Ecole de Raphaël and numbered: 12, and extensively inscribed on the mount, verso: Dessin Provinant dela collection de MonsLebarni / La collection des dessins dumusée en Sassède / une repetition Plus finie. / école de Raphael.
  • 12 3/8 x 8 inches

Provenance

Bears unidentified collector's mark (L.366);
Baron de Malaussena (L.1887);
Comte A. Marquet de Vasselot (L.2499);
with P & D Colnaghi & Co., London, by 1984;
sale, New York, Sotheby's, 13-14 January 1989, lot 244

Condition

Laid down on an old sheet of paper. The sheet has been made up in places due to very old areas of losses, notably in the upper right quarter and lower left edge. The blue paper has faded somewhat and there are a number of stains throughout, including a light blue stain to the upper left quarter. There are some losses to areas of white heightening, particularly to the lower right quarter. The brown wash is somewhat faded however the image itself is still reasonably 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."

Catalogue Note

The composition of this scene is derived, with some differences, from a drawing by Gian Francesco Penni in the Cabinet des Estampes, Brussels, which was later engraved by Cornelis Cort.  Another autograph version by Pupini, in oil on vellum, was sold New York, Sotheby's, 25 January 2006, lot 53.  The artist also returned to the subject on several other occasions, but using a different design, in drawings in the Biblioteca Marucelliana, Florence2, and in the Louvre.3

1.  J.C.J. Bierens de Haan, L'Oeuvre Gravé de Cornelis Cort, The Hague 1948, p. 45, cat. no. 20, plate 6, as F. Zuccaro
2.  Disegni e Incisioni della Raccolta Marucelliana, Florence 1983/1984, no. 155
3.  Inv. no. 4263