Giacomo Raibolini, Il Francia (Italian 1486-1557), The Madonna and child

Giacomo Raibolini, Il Francia (Italian 1486-1557)
The Madonna and child
Oil on panel
60 x 43cm (23½ x 16¾ in.)

Provenance:
Sale, Christie's London, 9 April 1990, lot 63
Acquired from the above by the present owner

Born in Bologna, the son of artist Francesco Raibolini, also known as Il Francia, Giacomo was brought up in the family business, learning painting and goldsmithing alongside his brother Giulio. When his father died in 1517, the brothers took over the running of the studio producing numerous altarpieces and religious paintings for the churches and convents of Bologna. He worked frequently in collaboration with his brother although it has been suggested that at some point in the 1520s, Giacomo probably travelled to Florence and perhaps further south to Rome, absorbing the influences of the great painters of the day, in particular Raphael. It is also suggested that he was influenced by the School of Ferrara. The Duchy of Ferrara was well known for its patronage of the arts and the links between Bologna and Ferrara were particularly strong. The way in which Giacomo Francia uses imaginary landscapes as the backdrop to his religious subjects has been linked to the influence of Ferrara, in particular artists such as Benvenuto Tisi, called Il Garofalo.

Lots 46-58 come from the collector and interior designer Edward Bulmer. They comprise part of the collection hung at Edward's Grade II* listed, William and Mary manor house, Court of Noke in Herefordshire.

Edward's passion for art runs parallel with his expertise in interiors. He initially began collecting when working for the picture restorer Alec Cobbe who is well known for his picture hanging projects. He worked on many such ventures with Cobbe, building an understanding of the connoisseurship of the great patrons of the past. He quickly recognised that one could still afford to buy as the great collectors did; on the basis of quality, if one was not restrictive about subject. As such the beginnings of a discerning collection were born.

When he purchased Court of Noke in 1994, it became a passionate restoration project, transforming what was a dilapidated shell with enormous promise, back into a comfortable family home. Some pictures in the collection were sold at this time in order to fund the initial restoration project. Edward describes how the present pictures have become "old friends, adding atmosphere and sophistication to our rooms and I hope that they will now find interesting new homes."

The collection offered here clearly embraces its owner's dedication to quality over narrow focus including as it does, pictures across a range of date periods and subjects from religious paintings to Greek mythology and Italianate landscape works.

Condition Report:
Large repaired but visible crack running vertically down the length of the panel at the right hand side some of this with areas of associated loss and flaking. There is further repair approx. 10cm running vertically up from the lower left edge. Areas of loss and flaking throughout some of these have been retouched, visible in natural light. Heavy craquelure throughout but most notably to Madonna and Child's face and torso. There also appears to have been a reaction to the red pigment which has caused some more obvious separation. The panel has warped and does not sit flush in its frame. There are two strengthening slats at the top and bottom of the panel verso. Inspection under UV reveals scattered throughout. If you are interested in bidding on this lot we would suggest viewing this lot.