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Lot Essay
The present work can be identified as one of a pair of paintings (the second depicting Saint John the Baptist) recorded by Guercino himself in his account book under November 29, 1652, as having been executed for the Most Excellent Co. di Nouelara Cioue [sic].
Guercino ran his studio on a meticulous and business-like basis. From the start of his recorded accounts in 1629, he worked with a prix-fixe that only varied slightly throughout his entire life. He measured and determined the cost of his paintings in terms of labor and, specifically, in terms of the number of figures painted, keeping strict records of each painting executed. This was then recorded, right up until 1666 (the year of his death) either by his brother, Paolo Antonio Barbieri, or by himself. The present work and its pair, Saint John the Baptist (location unknown) whose entry was written in the libro dei conti in Guercino's own hand, were paid for on November 29, 1652 by an agent, Signor Giovanni Battista Tartalione and were to be given on behalf of Co. di Novelara Cione to the Prince of Massa, Alberico II Cibo, brother of the Cardinal Alderano, who later commissioned several paintings from Guercino.
We are grateful to Sir Denis Mahon for his assistance in cataloguing this painting and for confirming the attribution on the basis of a photograph.
Guercino ran his studio on a meticulous and business-like basis. From the start of his recorded accounts in 1629, he worked with a prix-fixe that only varied slightly throughout his entire life. He measured and determined the cost of his paintings in terms of labor and, specifically, in terms of the number of figures painted, keeping strict records of each painting executed. This was then recorded, right up until 1666 (the year of his death) either by his brother, Paolo Antonio Barbieri, or by himself. The present work and its pair, Saint John the Baptist (location unknown) whose entry was written in the libro dei conti in Guercino's own hand, were paid for on November 29, 1652 by an agent, Signor Giovanni Battista Tartalione and were to be given on behalf of Co. di Novelara Cione to the Prince of Massa, Alberico II Cibo, brother of the Cardinal Alderano, who later commissioned several paintings from Guercino.
We are grateful to Sir Denis Mahon for his assistance in cataloguing this painting and for confirming the attribution on the basis of a photograph.