Saint Francis kneeling in front of a Crucifix

Details

STEFANO DELLA BELLA (FLORENCE 1610-1664)
Saint Francis kneeling in front of a Crucifix
inscribed 'Steffano dilla Bella. fior: f:' (lower center)
pen and brown ink, verso rubbed with black chalk
3 1⁄8 x 2 5⁄8 in. (7.8 x 6.6 cm)

Provenance

Sir Peter Lely (1618-1680), London (L. 2092).
Richard Houlditch, Jr. (d. 1760), London (L. 2214).
Johnathan Richardson, Sr. (1667-1745), London (L. 2184).
Professor Egbert Haverkamp-Begemann (1923-2017), New York; Sotheby’s, New York, 31 January 2018, lot 292.

Conditions of sale

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Giada Damen, Ph.D. Specialist

gdamen@christies.com +1 212 641 7532

Lot Essay

Most likely this drawing was created with the intention of being engraved. Around 1641, Stefano della Bella appears to have produced several prints with religious themes, often in a small format, similar to this sheet. However, no related print has been identified. The delicate and refined lines in the penmanship are characteristic of the artist's distinctive style.

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