Lot Essay
A study for the fresco in the Sala della Gesta Rossiane of the Palazzo Communale (formerly the Rocca) of San Secondo, probably painted between 1561 and 1572, De Grazia, op. cit., no. P4, colour plate p. 47. The frescoes celebrating the Rossi family were commissioned by Troilus II (1524-1591), Marchese of San Secondo from 1547. Despite Troilus's bitter rebellion against his overlord Ottavio Farnese, the idea of such an ambitious fresco programme was clearly inspired by Caprarola, celebrating the achievements of the Farnese family. Bertoia who was working at Caprarola was, in a spirit of rapprochement, allowed by the Farnese to work at San Secondo. Bertoia was clearly the guiding influence behind the design of the programme, although only six out of the thirteen frescoes were, according to De Grazia, painted by him. The present sheet is the most complete design for the commission, for which there are only four other drawings known