Circle of Nicolò dell' Abate

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Circle of Nicolò dell' Abate
approximately 1509-1571
Concert: Group of Figures Singing
ca. 1550-1560
Pen and brown ink and wash, with opaque white watercolor, over black chalk, on laid paper.
4 7/8 x 9 inches (124 x 229 mm)
Gift of Janos Scholz.
1993.235
Description: 

The present drawing is a copy, with some minor changes, of a painting formerly in the collection of Arthur Kay and sold at auction in 1929 as by Giorgione, but since attributed to Nicolò dell’Abate.1 The scene is very similar to the fresco decorations in the Sala dei Concerti on the piano nobile in Palazzo Poggi, Bologna (now Biblioteca Universitaria, via Zamboni), painted by Nicolò dell’Abate, ca. 1550-51.2

Footnotes:

  1. Christie’s, London, 22 March, 1929, lot. 140; Oakland and elsewhere 1957, no. 1.
  2. Fortunati and Mumeci 2000, 168, 175.
Inscription: 

Watermark: none visible through lining.

Provenance: 
Arthur Kay (1861-1939), Edinburgh (his sale, London, Christie's, 22 March 1929, lot 140, as Giorgione (according to Bologna 1969, p. 109); purchased in Zurich in 1953 by Janos Scholz (1903-1993), New York (see Lugt Suppl. 2933b).
Associated names: 

Kay, Arthur, former owner.
Scholz, János, former owner.

Bibliography: 

Selected references: Oakland and elsewhere 1957, no. 1 (as Nicolò dell'Abate); Bologna 1969, 108-09, under no. 50 (as not Nicolò dell'Abate).
Neumeyer, Alfred, and János Scholz. Drawings from Bologna 1520-1800. Oakland : Mills College Art Gallery, 1957, no. 1, repr.

Catalog link: 
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Artist page: 
Abate, Nicolò dell'
School: 
Italian
Century: 
16th century
Classification: 
Drawing
Department: 
Drawings and Prints