FRANCESCO VANNI | Three studies of two kneeling women, one repeated in a slightly different pose

A light brown stain top left and smaller stains to the left and scattered through the page. A slight traces of folds in the middle. Some wrinkling of the paper at the bottom and a defect of the paper at the top center and a few lower right. Three of the edges are uncut and have small losses and wrinkle and tiny tears. About four tiny round holes. Media strong and paper blue.
"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."

A very typical example of Francesco Vanni's draughtsmanship of the 1590s, this assured sheet of figure studies is executed with broad, confident strokes of black chalk, heightened with white chalk, on light blue paper, the whole dominated by a strong and clear desire to determine volumes, especially in the geometry of the drapery.  The artist has evidently absorbed much of Barocci's style and grace, but elaborates these qualities into his own personal idiom.  The figures of the two kneeling young women, one studied twice on the right side of the sheet, cannot be directly connected with any known painting by Vanni, but very similar female figures can be found in The Miracle of the demonic girl, a fresco in the chapel of St Catherine in the church of St. Dominic, Siena, executed between 1593 and 1596.

For a later drawing by the artist, see lot 24.