Circle of Parmigianino

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Circle of Parmigianino
1503-1540
Panel Decorated with a Putto, a Sphinx, Scrollwork, and an Oval Cartouche Containing a Seated Figure
ca. 1538-1544
Pen and brown ink and wash, over black chalk, on paper; squared in red chalk.
5 1/2 x 4 1/2 inches (140 x 114 mm)
Purchased by Pierpont Morgan (1837-1913) in 1909.
I, 49a
Notes: 

Watermark: none.
Formerly attributed to Girolamo Francesco Maria Mazzola, called Il Parmigianino, 1503-1540; Girolamo Mazzola Bedoli (ca. 1505-ca. 1569/70).

Inscription: 

Inscribed by the artist, in design, at upper center, in pen and brown ink [symbol, like a "G", perhaps for "palmi"?]; and at lower center, in pen and brown ink, "[symbol] 42"; by Richardson Sr. or an amanuensis?, on mount, at center, beneath drawing, in pen and brown ink, "Parmeggiano"; on mount, lower right, "49251"; on verso of mount, with Richardson's pressmarks, "B. 20. / CC. 18(?) B. 23. k. / In the Steccata, or exactly like it. / R. jun."; at right center, following Barnard's initials, "N: 612 / 5 1/2 by 4 1/2"; at lower right, "Cholmondely"; at lower left, in graphite, "the 2 Richardsons / John Barnard / + Cholmondley"; in right corner, in graphite, "279".

Provenance: 
Jonathan Richardson Sr. (1665-1745; Lugt 2183), London; Jonathan Richardson Jr. (1694-1771; see Lugt 2646-2647), London (Lugt 1515); John Barnard (-1784; Lugt 1420), London; George Cholmondeley, Earl of Cholmondeley (1703-1770; Lugt 1703-1770) (according to inscription on verso); possibly his sale, Mr. Langford, London, 21-25 March 1763; Charles Fairfax Murray (1849-1919), London and Florence; from whom purchased through Galerie Alexandre Imbert, Rome, in 1909 by Pierpont Morgan (1837-1913), New York (no mark; see Lugt 1509); his son, J. P. Morgan, Jr. (1867-1943), New York.
Associated names: 

Parmigianino, 1503-1540, Formerly attributed to.
Mazzola Bedoli, Girolamo, approximately 1500-1569, Possible attribution.
Richardson, Jonathan, 1665-1745, former owner.
Richardson, Jonathan, 1694-1771, former owner.
Barnard, John, 1709-1784, former owner.
Cholmondeley, George Cholmondeley, 1703-1770, Earl of, former owner.
Murray, Charles Fairfax, 1849-1919, former owner.
Morgan, J. Pierpont (John Pierpont), 1837-1913, former owner.
Morgan, J. P. (John Pierpont), 1867-1943, former owner.

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