The Holy Family

Born in Cortignola, Girolamo Marchesi almost certainly trained under Francesco and Bernardino Zaganelli in the first decade of the sixteenth century. His early pictures, such as this beautifully executed, newly discovered panel, were markedly influenced by the Zaganellis, with whom he likely collaborated until the closure of their studio in circa 1511. He would soon receive significant commissions: he worked for the Sforza court at Pesaro, and by 1513 he was in Rimini, decorating the main chapel of the cathedral which was later destroyed in the earthquake of 1672. In Cesena, in 1516, he collaborated with Gerolamo Genga on the altarpiece of the Conception, and his association with Genga, who had worked with Pinturicchio and Signorelli, may have been pivotal in his developing the more classical tendencies that would emerge in his work in the following years.
Around 1520, Marchesi moved to Bologna where the influence of Raphael, mediated through local artists such as Francesco Francia, was combined with that of Ferrarese painters such as Garofalo and Dosso Dossi, as can be seen in the Adoration of the Magi and Shepherds (private collection) and the Madonna and Child with Saints (Forlì, Pinacoteca Civica). After a brief trip to Rome and Naples around 1524-25, Marchesi returned to Bologna, with his figures showing a greater sculptural quality towards the end of his career. The last recorded work by the artist is the Madonna and Child in glory with Saints, signed and dated 1528, sold Christie’s, London, 8 July 1988, lot 68, £176,000.
We are grateful to Andrea de Marchi for proposing the attribution on the basis of a photograph.