Lot 217: n - ASTOLFO PETRAZZI SIENA 1580 - 1653

PROPERTY OF A PRIVATE COLLECTOR, SOLD WITHOUT RESERVE

A YOUTH PLAYING A GUITAR

measurements note
48 by 36 1/4 in.; 122 by 92 cm.

oil on canvas

PROVENANCE

W.R.M. Wynne, Esq., by March 20, 1885, no. 13, as by Murillo (from an old hand written label on the reverse);
Major M. Williams, Penredw Hall (stenciled on the reverse of the canvas);
Anonymous sale ("Property of a Private Collector"), London, Sotheby's, July 11, 2002, lot 189 (as Domenico Cresti, called Domenico Passignano).

NOTE

We are grateful to Alessandro Bagnoli who, on the basis of photographs, has identified this painting to be by Petrazzi.

The Sienese artist, Astolfo Petrazzi is an artist about whom little is known. His early works, mostly religious compositions, reflect the style of Ventura Salimbeni and Francesco Vanni; however, after a lengthy stay in Rome (1621-31) his style began to change. This change is most notable in his floral still lifes where one can see the influence of a naturalism in style embraced by Caravaggio and his followers.

An alternate attribution to Rutilio Manetti (Siena 1571-1639) has been suggested for this painting.