Lot 273: JACOPO CONFORTINI

FLORENCE 1602 - 1672 FLORENCE ST. MICHAEL Red chalk; bears numbering in pen and black ink, upper left: 164 and bears two inscriptions, verso (according to Ralph Holland's notes): Cecci and Checho Bravo 239 by 140 mm

Newcastle, 1964, no. 38

Acquired by exchange with Dr. Birdman, Newcastle, circa 1956

This lively drawing of Saint Michael is similar to Confortini's red chalk studies of musicians.1 There is a strong sense of movement in his figures, with the characteristic use of looped strokes to denote hair. Other studies exist by Confortini of standing or half-length saints shown with their attributes: a half-length figure of St. Peter is at Christ Church, Oxford2 and another study of St. James the Great was sold, in these Rooms, 25 June 1970, lot 42. These depictions of saints do not appear to be connected to any surviving works. Ralph Holland's note in the 1964 exhibition catalogue indicates that the attribution to Confortini was first suggested by Philip Pouncey. 1. For example, Two Musicians playing a Chitarrone and a Violin, with a subsidiary study of the second musician, sold, London, Christie's, 4 July 1995, lot 47 2. J. Byam Shaw, Drawings by Old Masters at Christ Church Oxford, Oxford 1976, vol. I, pp. 101-102, no. 293, reproduced vol. II, pl. 180