Set of six lithographic prints comprising:
lithographic print of painting by Guercino entitled The Libyan Sibyl, originally painted c.1651.
Acquired by George III, King of the United Kingdom, (1738-1820). Probably bought for George III by Richard Dalton in Italy, early 1700s; recorded in the Warm Room at Buckingham Palace.Oil on canvas. A late work by Giovanni Francesco Barbieri, known as Guercino (the Squinter). One of two half-length Sibyls painted for Ippolito Cattani and paid for on the 4th December 1651. One of the twelve Sibyls alleged to have prophesied the coming of Christ to the Gentiles, this painting depicts the Libyan Sibyl identified by the inscription on the book. The pendant, or companion to this painting is the Samian Sibyl (private collection) and a workshop replica can be seen lying in the foreground of Johan Zoffany's 'Tribuna of the Uffizi' in image No: 32.
Print size inches: 7.7 x 9.2 together with lithographic print of painting by Guido Reni entitled Cleopatra with the Asp, originally painted c.1628
Acquired Frederick Louis, Prince of Wales, 1st son of George II, King of Great Britain (1707-51). Acquired in or before 1749.Oil on canvas, the painting was hung in the Prince's Closet at Leicester House. Executed in the late 1620s, Reni is known to have painted at least three other versions. According to Reni's biographer Carlo Cesare Malvascia, Cleopatra was commissioned by his friend Palma Giovane (d.1628) for Boselli, a Venetian merchant, to be judged in competition with companion pictures by Giovane, Renieri and Guercino. Although Reni did not win the competition, Renieri purchased the painting following Boselli's death.
Print size inches: 7.7 x 9.3 together with lithographic print of painting by Giorgione entitled A Shepherd with a Pipe, originally painted c.1510-15
Acquired by Charles I (1600-49) as by Giorgione, recovered after the Restoration.Oil on canvas. Now attributed to Titian, this haunting pastoral theme is reminiscent of Giorgione with whom Titian was apprenticed. However the execution of the painting gives rise to the thought that it may have been painted by Titian based on a lost original conceived by Giorgione. Never the less, some scholars continue to attribute 'The Shepherd' to Giorgione.
Print size inches: 7.2 x 9.2 together with lithographic print of painting by Artemisia Gentileschi entitled Self-portrait as Pittura, originally painted c.1638-9.
Recorded by the trustees of the sales of Charles I in October 1649 at Hampton Court; sold to Jackson on 23rd October 1651. Recovered at the Restoration.Oil on canvas. Painted as a self-portrait in accordance with the description of the personification of 'Painting' given in the Iconologia of Cesare Ripa (1611): A beautiful woman with full black hair, gold chain and iridescent clothing. It is probable that Artemisia produced this work during her stay in London from 1638 - 41.
Print size inches: 7.1 x 9.4 together with lithographic print of painting by Lorenzo Costa entitled A Lady with a Lap-Dog, originally painted c.1500-1505
Probably purchased by Charles II (1630-85), recorded in the collection of Charles II at Whitehall c.1666.Oil on poplar panel. The style of costume and head band is typical of the costume of Northern Italy 1490-1505. Although the sitter remains unidentified there is speculation that she may be a member of the Bolognese or Mantuan Court. The left edge of the panel is bevelled at the back, an indication that suggests it may once have been hinged to form the right wing of a diptych, possibly celebrating a marriage. Were this to be the case, the lap dog would symbolise fidelity.
Print size inches: 7.2 x 9.4 together with lithographic print of painting by Giovanni Bellini entitled Portrait of a Young Man, originally painted c.1505
Acquired by George III, King of the United Kingdom (1738-1820) in 1762 as part of the collection of British Consul Joseph Smith.Oil on panel. Signed below on a label, this painting is one of the last surviving portraits executed by Bellini. Although unidentified, the apparel worn by the sitter is typical of a Venetian cittadino and may possibly be the Venetian writer and humanist Pietro Bembo (1470-1547).
Print size inches: 7.4 x 9.4