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Lot Essay
A version of this composition, (one of a set of three, in tondo form) is in a private collection, Italy (M. Gregori, 'Nuovi Accertamenti in Toscana sulla Pittura Caricatte e Giocosa', Arte Antica e Moderna, 1961, pp. 412-413, fig. 198). Gregori (loc. cit.) who dates that series to 1735-1745, also points out the connection between this and the caricature drawings of Baccio del Bianco, who was active in Florence in the early Seicento.
Ferretti was born in Florence in 1692. After studying under Francesco Chiusuri of Imola, he went on to work under Felice Torelli in Bologna. He returned to his native city in 1714 to work on decorative commissions in the palaces of the Florentine nobility, among them the Ginori, Pucci, Rucellai and Panciatichi. As well as executing portraits and pictures of religious subject-matter, Ferretti was perhaps best-known for his paintings inspired by the commedia dell'arte and his caricatures.
Ferretti was born in Florence in 1692. After studying under Francesco Chiusuri of Imola, he went on to work under Felice Torelli in Bologna. He returned to his native city in 1714 to work on decorative commissions in the palaces of the Florentine nobility, among them the Ginori, Pucci, Rucellai and Panciatichi. As well as executing portraits and pictures of religious subject-matter, Ferretti was perhaps best-known for his paintings inspired by the commedia dell'arte and his caricatures.