1297 - Lazzaro Baldi

Lazzaro Baldi History of the Emperor Julius Cesar and Twelve other Caesars Pen, ink, gouache, biacca on paper. 26 x 38.5 cm. Framed under glass. Provenance Private collection Italy. The present drawing closely relates to other sketches fully attributed to Baldi and displays typical features of his oeuvre: the different tonalities used for the preparation of the sheet;the distinctive use of white lead to highlight figures and details; the presence of rich architectural settings, both for the main scene and the background. Furthermore, in many drawings by Baldi, as in the present one, the paper is reused (letters and numbers show through in different areas), and different section of paper are glued together to form the sheet. The attribution of this drawing to Baldi is further supported by documentary evidence: in the inventory of paintings in the artist's home at his death (1703), entry 246 records of a: 'Story of Emperor Julius Caesar with twelve other Caesars, canvas approximately 4 *palmi* [in height], black frame and white inner moldings'. This description, which corresponds precisely to the subject of the present drawing, allows both a clearer interpretation of the theme and a confirmation of its full autography. Although in the above mentioned inventory are listed numerous drawings, it cannot be stated that the present one was part of the group, but the sheet can be surely identified as the final study for the above mentioned painting, as suggested by the highly finished and polished composition.