Federico Fiori Barocci Italy 1535-1612 Study for Zaccaria, Madonna della Gatta red, black and white chalk on blue prepared paper 16th century Sight: 11 x 8 1/8 in. Provenance: Carlo Argentieri (Lugt 486b), with his stamp lower left of recto, with associated numbers ‘59’ and ‘96’ lower right; Il Ponte Casa d’Aste, Milan, 18 April 2018, Sale 414, lot 429, as Barocci School, 16th Century; Poncelin de Raucourt Fine Art, Limoges, 2018, as Italian School, 16th Century. Note: (From the Estate) "This newly discovered large-scale drawing, executed in red, black, and white chalk on blue prepared paper, is characteristic of the Umbrian master Federico Barocci. While its faded condition complicates a definitive attribution on stylistic grounds alone, the legibility of the study allows for a confident identification as a preparatory work for the figure of Zaccaria in Barocci’s celebrated masterpiece Madonna della Gatta (Uffizi Gallery, Florence), regarded as 'one of the most poetic works of the Italian sixteenth century.' The composition closely relates to another preparatory drawing by Barocci for this Holy Family, preserved in the National Gallery of Scotland (D.5286). In that sheet, Zaccaria tilts his head away from the viewer, in contrast to the present drawing and the final painting, suggesting the Scottish example represents an earlier stage of the artist’s design process. Madonna della Gatta (1598) remained largely overlooked for decades, owing to its compromised state, and was only rediscovered following a major restoration in 2003. Comparable studies of old men by Barocci, such as those in the Boijmans Collection (Den Haag, MB 936 verso), the Crocker Museum (Sacramento, inv. 1871.234), and the Albertina (Vienna, inv. 555), share similar use of chalk and compositional intent, though differing in lighting, facial type, and head orientation." Abell provides in-house shipping for select items. Our office is open Monday to Friday from 8:00 AM to 12:00 PM and 1:00 PM to 3:00 PM for item pickups. Items that cannot be shipped will be noted. An email will go out after invoices are sent. For assistance with shipping, please refer to our shippers' page at https://www.abell.com/buy-sell/how-to-ship/. Payment: Jewelry and coins must be paid by wire transfer, cash, or check (checks subject to clearance before release). The Condition Report states Abell Auction's reasonable opinion as to the lot’s general condition in the terms stated in the particular report, and Abell does not represent or guarantee that a Condition Report includes all aspects of the internal or external condition of the Lot. Items sold at auction are of considerable age and may exhibit wear, usage, repairs, and damage. Therefore, all lots are sold 'as is' and there are no returns or refunds. Abell does not owe the buyer any obligation to report on the condition of the lot and makes no guarantee the condition will be given for the lot. Abell attempts to provide accurate descriptions and images of products online. It is the buyer's responsibility to review all of the information provided about a lot before placing a bid. The buyer acknowledges that the products are sold on an “as-is” basis. Provenance: Carlo Argentieri (Lugt 486b), with his stamp lower left of recto, with associated numbers ‘59’ and ‘96’ lower right; Il Ponte Casa d’Aste, Milan, 18 April 2018, Sale 414, lot 429, as Barocci School, 16th Century; Poncelin de Raucourt Fine Art, Limoges, 2018, as Italian School, 16th Century.Note: (From the Estate) "This newly discovered large-scale drawing, executed in red, black, and white chalk on blue prepared paper, is characteristic of the Umbrian master Federico Barocci. While its faded condition complicates a definitive attribution on stylistic grounds alone, the legibility of the study allows for a confident identification as a preparatory work for the figure of Zaccaria in Barocci’s celebrated masterpiece Madonna della Gatta (Uffizi Gallery, Florence), regarded as 'one of the most poetic works of the Italian sixteenth century.'The composition closely relates to another preparatory drawing by Barocci for this Holy Family, preserved in the National Gallery of Scotland (D.5286). In that sheet, Zaccaria tilts his head away from the viewer, in contrast to the present drawing and the final painting, suggesting the Scottish example represents an earlier stage of the artist’s design process.Madonna della Gatta (1598) remained largely overlooked for decades, owing to its compromised state, and was only rediscovered following a major restoration in 2003. Comparable studies of old men by Barocci, such as those in the Boijmans Collection (Den Haag, MB 936 verso), the Crocker Museum (Sacramento, inv. 1871.234), and the Albertina (Vienna, inv. 555), share similar use of chalk and compositional intent, though differing in lighting, facial type, and head orientation."