The present sheet, along with five others in the Morgan’s collection, was once part of a sketchbook.1 Ruth Goebel noted that these drawings seem to derive from nielli (email to Morgan curators, 1999). For instance, the Judgement of Paris and the Three Monks of the present sheet are similar in type to nielli designs of the same subjects.2
Footnotes:
- Morgan Library & Museum, New York, inv. I, 6:1-I, 6:6.
- Hind 1936, 19, no. 141; Blum 1950, 13-14, nos. 16, 24.
One of a series of six leaves from a sketchbook on one mat (I, 6:1-I, 6:6).
Watermark: none visible through lining.
This group of sketchbook leaves is likely the work of a miniaturist or engraver.
Inscribed in lower right corner, in pen and brown ink, when turned through 90 degrees: "24".
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.
Selected references: Fairfax Murray 1905-12, 1: no. 6 (as Florentine school, fifteenth century).
Collection J. Pierpont Morgan : Drawings by the Old Masters Formed by C. Fairfax Murray. London : Privately printed, 1905-1912, I, 6, repr. (as Florentine school, fifteenth century)..