STUDIO OF GIOVANNI BATTISTA GAULLI (ITALIAN 1639 -1709)

STUDIO OF GIOVANNI BATTISTA GAULLI (ITALIAN 1639 -1709) PORTRAIT OF THE CARDINAL MARCO GALLI Oil on canvas 49 x 37.5cm (19¼ x 14¾ in.) Provenance: Moltini, Milan; Acquired from the above by James Irvine, 17 March 1828, in Milan, for 15 Louis (as Domenichino) Gifted from the above, in gratitude for his employment, to Sir William Forbes, 7th Baronet of Pitsligo (1773-1828), of Fettercairn, Kincardineshire, 14 October 1828 By descent to his son Sir John Stuart Hepburn-Forbes, 8th Baronet of Pitsligo (1804-1866) By inheritance to his son-in-law Charles Trefusis, 20th Baron Clinton (1834-1904) Thence by descent Their sale, Sotheby's, London, where purchased by Count Manfredi della Gherardesca, 8 December 2016, lot 161 Exhibited: Edinburgh, Royal Scottish Academy, Works of Old Masters and Scottish National Portraits, 1883, no.187 (as Domenichino, Head of a Nobleman). This portrait exists in at least four published autograph variants by Gaulli: two half-length paintings (London, National Gallery, inv. no. NG6534, and Brianza, Valerio collection), one bust-length (sold Sotheby's, London, 10 July 1974, lot 32), and one three-quarter length, seated (Bucharest, Musée d'Art, inv. no. 8169/203) Condition Report: The canvas has been lined. Craquelure throughout but the paint surface appears stable, despite wearing thin in some places (including to the sitter's head). Rubbing and abrasions to the framing edges. Inspection under UV reveals light scattered retouching throughout, with a more concentrated area of overpaint to the background in the lower left quadrant, possibly covering an old repair.Condition Report Disclaimer