VOLTERRANO (BaldassareFranceschini)
1611-169 0
50 Assumption of the Virgin
Red chalk, red wash, and white gouache heightening; H:
48.4 cm (19 in.); W: 30.1 cm (nI3/i6Ín.)
88.GG.IIO
MARKS AND INSCRIPTIONS! None.
PROVENANCE: Sale, Sotheby's, New York, January 13,
1988, lot 96; art market, London.
EXHIBITIONS: None.
BIBLIOGRAPHY: None.IN 1664 PRINCE MATTIAS DE' MEDICI COMMISSIONED
Li vio Mehus, Ciro Ferri, and Volterrano to paint (re-
spectively) the Purification of the Virgin, the Assump-
tion, and the Flight into Egypt for the ceiling of the nave
of SS. Annunziata, Florence. The plan was later reduced
in scope, although an oil sketch for the Flight into Egypt
was produced and is in the M. Gregori collection, Flor-
ence. The later scheme called for only one painting, the
Assumption, and the commission for it was given to Vol-
terrano; it was finished and set into the ceiling in 1670.
The Museum's drawing is the most complete study
for the Assumption, excepting a painted modello that was
in the Galleria Corsini, Florence, and is now in the E. Bo-
rea collection, Rome.^1 The drawing contains all of the
principal elements in the painting and its modello, though
a few of the figures are posed somewhat differently. The
expansive illusionism of the scene and freedom of move-
ment in the figures reflect Volterrano's Roman experi-
ence, especially the work of Pietro da Cortona. This is
also a clear example of the meticulous preparatory pro-
cess he employed. In addition to the modello and the Getty
drawing, there are drawings of the composition in the
Uffizi (inv. 20917 F); o f the Virgin in the Stiftung Ratjen,
Vaduz (inv. R. 308); of the apostle at the bottom left in the
Fondazione Roberto Longhi, Florence (inv. 30/0), Bi-
blioteca Marucelliana, Florence (inv. vol. A, n. 10), and
sold at Sotheby's, London (July 3, 1980, lot 38a); and of
the apostle at the bottom right sold at Sotheby's, London
(July 3, 1980, lot 47a).I. S. Prosperi Valenti Rodinô, Bozzetti, modelli e grisailles dal
XVIal XVIIIsecólo, exh. cat. (Fondazione Lungarotti, Museo
del Vino, Torgiano, 1988), no. 16.128 ITALIAN SCHOOL • VOLTERRANO