Lot 243: BIAGIO PUPINI

ACTIVE BOLOGNA CIRCA 1511 - 1575 THE CORONATION OF THE VIRGIN WITH ST. JOHN THE BAPTIST AND ATTENDING ANGELS, GOD THE FATHER ABOVE Pen and brown ink, heightened with white 203 by 130 mm

Newcastle, 1982, no. 4

Padre Resta; John, Lord Somers (L.2981), bears his number: K 213; Jonathan Richardson Senior (L.2184) with his attribution on the mount: Biaggio Bolognese and shelf marks on the backing (L.2983) and inscription in pen and brown ink: Mo. Biaggio Puppini Bolognese, Discepolo del Francia, pratteco con I'Imola, / Gerolimino da Carpi. Fù Goffetto. / P. Resta; Sir John Charles Robinson (L.1433); Dr. and Mrs. Hugh Squire, their sale, London, Sotheby's, 4 July 1975, lot 54, purchased by Ralph Holland

This unusual iconography for the Coronation of the Virgin can be explained by the strong impact that Pupini's undocumented, but presumed, Roman trip made before 1524 must have had both on his style and on his knowledge of ancient Rome. Like other Bolognese artists, he was attracted by the pull of ancient and modern Rome. There is the clear influence of Raphael on his paintings, but his graphic technique reflects Polidoro da Caravaggio's subtle use of abundant white heightening, inspired by ancient frescoes, as can be seen in drawings like the present one.