Salvator Rosa

John, Lord Northwick (1770-1859),
by inheritance at Northwick Park,
to Capt. E.G. Spencer-Churchill,
sale, London, Sotheby's, 18 November 1919, part of lot 21

Laid down. Light brown staining throughout the sheet. A few darker stains located towards the upper margin in the centre and one in the upper right corner. A small black ink stain, possibly a studio stain, upper right. Medium remains fairly 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."

The present work once formed part of a group of 14 'Grotesque drawings of animals' sold by Sotheby's in 1919.  Another sheet from this group, executed by Salvator Rosa, and sold from the Oppé Collection in 2006,¹ was partially connected, in reverse, to Rosa's etching, Study for Democritus in Meditation (Fig.1). The present drawing shares a similar link to the aforementioned etching; the bewhiskered creature found in the upper right quarter of the sheet appears in the opposite top corner of the print.

^1. Sale, London, Christie's, 5 December 2006, lot 29