supported by a socle carved with the papal coat of arms

The nose, beard and ends of the collar have been restored. There is overall weathering to the surface consistent with having been outside. There is some surface dirt. Otherwise the condition is good.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

This impressive portrait bust of Pope Innocent XII, born Prince Antonio Pignatelli in 1615 (reigned 1691-1700) displays the pope slightly inclining his head to the right, his head covered by the fur-lined zucchetto or skull cap. On his shoulders he wears a mozzetta indented with many folds in addition to a stole intricately carved with the standing figures of the two Apostles  St Peter and St Paul with the triple-jug Pignatelli arms beneath. The bust is supported by a waisted socle with the Pignatelli arms, the papal triple tiara and the crossed keys of St Peter.

The bust follows in the tradition of Roman 17th-century papal portraits as can be seen in the bronze portrait of Alexander VIII attributed by Bershad to Domenico Guidi (1625-1701) in the Victoria and Albert Museum. The present portrait head appears to be derived from the bust carved in the workshop of Domenico Guidi and placed above the tomb in the crypt of St Peter's in Rome. For other busts of Innocent XII see Bershad for one dating to circa 1694 in the Villa Pignatelli, Naples attributed to Guidi. A further portrait is in the monument to the pope in the Duomo Naples.  A terracotta portrait bust by Guidi executed between 1694-1696 is in the Museo di Roma, illustrated by Bianca di Gioa.

Antonio Pignatelli was born at the Castello della Basilicata, near Naples in 1615 to a powerful Neapolitan family.  By 1681 he had risen to the rank of cardinal and in 1687 was created Archbishop of Naples. A pious man, he rejected nepotism and with one of the first papal bulls of his reign upon becoming pope, (published in July 1692), he condemned all forms of it.  This instigated reforms amongst the clergy.  He is remembered as an unprejudiced and fair man.

RELATED LITERATURE
E. Bianca di Gioa, Domenico Guidi: Un Modello in terracotta per un ritratto di Papa Innocenzo XII Pignatelli al Museo di Roma, fig .1; D. L. Bershad, "A Series of Papal Busts by Domenico Guidi", Burlington Magazine, December 1970, pp. 805-808, figs. 18, 23; D. L. Bershad, " Two additional busts by Domenico Guidi", Burlington Magazine, November 1973, pp. 86-90; F. Den Broeder, "A Drawing by Domenico Guidi for a Monument to Innocent XII", Burlington Magazine, Feb. 975, fig. 74