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Lot Essay
The present composition seems to be a variant of a picture of the same subject (circa 146 x 195 cm.) traditionally attributed to Lanfranco, in the Galleria Doria Pamphilj, Rome.
There are a few significant differences between the two pictures. In the Doria Pamphilj picture, the figure blowing the conch appears on the right side of the composition replacing the centaur and nymph on the right of the present picture. The climbing putto in the lower centre of the present picture is omitted in the Doria Pamphilj picture, but another putto climbing onto a dolphin is added.
Dr. Erich Schleier, for whose assistance we are very grateful, doubts the attribution to Lanfranco of the Doria Pamphilj picture, pointing out in particular that the head to the left of Galatea's would be atypical of Lanfranco's style. He also points to the existence, in Worms, of a drawing of a similar composition, with some variations, which is attributed to Carlo Cesi, and not apparently by Lanfranco. Dr. Schleier believes that the present picture seems closer to the hand of Lanfranco than the Doria Pamphilj composition, but detects a significant degree of studio participation.
It is possible that the present picture is that listed as no. 90 in Inventario A (1667-9) of the Cardinal Decio Azzolino inventories, rediscovered by Professor Enzo Borsellino, and described as: 'Un quadro per traverso di palmi 8 x 10, con l'Historia di Galatea, mano del Lanfranco, con cornice alla romana dorata alta palmi 1 in circa'. It could also be associated with no. 179 of Inventario C (1689): 'Un quadro rappresentante una Galatea con putti d'imperatore con cornice dorata del medesimo autore.' The measurements of a tela d'imperatore are circa 95 x 135 cm., which would make it unlikely that this refers to the present picture, although dimensions given in such inventories can be inaccurate.
There are a few significant differences between the two pictures. In the Doria Pamphilj picture, the figure blowing the conch appears on the right side of the composition replacing the centaur and nymph on the right of the present picture. The climbing putto in the lower centre of the present picture is omitted in the Doria Pamphilj picture, but another putto climbing onto a dolphin is added.
Dr. Erich Schleier, for whose assistance we are very grateful, doubts the attribution to Lanfranco of the Doria Pamphilj picture, pointing out in particular that the head to the left of Galatea's would be atypical of Lanfranco's style. He also points to the existence, in Worms, of a drawing of a similar composition, with some variations, which is attributed to Carlo Cesi, and not apparently by Lanfranco. Dr. Schleier believes that the present picture seems closer to the hand of Lanfranco than the Doria Pamphilj composition, but detects a significant degree of studio participation.
It is possible that the present picture is that listed as no. 90 in Inventario A (1667-9) of the Cardinal Decio Azzolino inventories, rediscovered by Professor Enzo Borsellino, and described as: 'Un quadro per traverso di palmi 8 x 10, con l'Historia di Galatea, mano del Lanfranco, con cornice alla romana dorata alta palmi 1 in circa'. It could also be associated with no. 179 of Inventario C (1689): 'Un quadro rappresentante una Galatea con putti d'imperatore con cornice dorata del medesimo autore.' The measurements of a tela d'imperatore are circa 95 x 135 cm., which would make it unlikely that this refers to the present picture, although dimensions given in such inventories can be inaccurate.