Watermark: fleur-de-lis within a shield (similar to Heawood, no. 1805: London, 1722).
While the drawing has been attributed to Wigerus Vitringa (Leeuwarden 1657-1721 Wirdun) since it was acquired by Fairfax Murray, it is likely that it was done by an as yet unidentified artist named "Witrijck." Not only is Vitringa known exclusively for marine subjects, but there were other drawings properly identified as by Vitringa in the Woodburn sale, where the present sheet, by contrast, was given to "Witrijck."
Inscribed at upper left, in black chalk, "Gesicht Van Witrick". On the verso, in graphite, at upper left, "1505"; and in lower left quadrant, No. ["o" in superscript] 1194. Witrick. / (at Woodburn's Sale June 1854.)".
Vitringa, Wigerus, 1657-1721, Formerly attributed to.
Woodburn, Samuel, 1785 or 1786-1853 former owner.
Murray, Charles Fairfax, 1849-1919, former owner.
Morgan, J. Pierpont (John Pierpont), 1837-1913, former owner.
Collection J. Pierpont Morgan : Drawings by the Old Masters Formed by C. Fairfax Murray. London : Privately printed, 1905-1912, III, 233, repr. (as Vitringa)