Domenico Robusti, called Domenico Tintoretto

Private collection, Genoa;
With D. Heinemann, Munich, from whom bought on 2 April 1929 by Agnews;
With Thomas Agnew & Sons Ltd., London (inv. no. 10558), by whom sold to
William Urwick Goodbody (1883–1949), Invergarry House, Invernesshire;
Thence by inheritance to his daughter, Mrs T. E. Nelson, Achnacloich, Connel, Argyllshire (as Domenico Tintoretto).

London, Thomas Agnew & Sons Ltd, Coronation exhibition of thirty-nine masterpieces of Venetian painting, 20 May – 27 June 1953, no. 33 (as Jacopo Tintoretto);
Amsterdam, Rijksmuseum, De Venetiaanse Meesters, 26 July – 11 October 1953, no. 103 (as Jacopo Tintoretto).

The canvas has an effective relining that has not overly flattened the paint surface. The paint surface is dirty with a discoloured varnish. There is an old restored damaged to the cuff of the sitters left sleeve - and a small 1cm square damage to the right of the sitters head in the back ground. There is some wear in the dark tones along the bottom and left margin. There are some old hairline surface cracks in the paint that have discoloured retouchings along them above the sitters ear, to the left of his right eyebrow, and above his nose, in his forehead. Other than these, the brushwork in the face and ruff of the sitter appear to be in nice, fairly original condition. Inspection under ultra violet light reveals very little - the varnish is old and thick and fluoresces opaque. This lot is offered in a carved and gilt wood frame in 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."

The coat-of-arms on the column – which pictures a mountain, illustrating the motto 'Viamque affectat Olympo' ('he took the path towards Olympus') – belongs to the noble Genoese Montenegro family, consistent with the painting having been first recorded in a private collection in that city.¹ Now indistinct, a fragmentary inscription just to the right of the sitter's left elbow, reads 'HIER'. This has been interpreted as a possible identification of the sitter as Girolamo Montenegro, Marquis of Marigliano, a banker and diplomat documented as legate of the Republic of Genoa to the Pope in 1575, and later treasurer to the Kingdom of Naples.

1. G. B. di Crollalanza, Dizionario storico-blasonico delle famiglie nobili e notabili italiane, Bologna 1986, vol. II, p. 165.