Anonymous sale, London, Christie's, 29 October 1999, lot 98, for £20,000, where purchased by the father of the present owner;
Thence by descent.

"The following condition report has been provided by Henry Gentle, an independent restorer who is not an employee of Sotheby's. The copper panel is in good condition. The paint surface is minutely raised all over and there is some instability. The background has been substantially augmented with restoration, either side of the sitter's head, due to thinness of the paint here. There one or two restorations to the face and neck but the dress is almost untouched and in good condition. The varnish's removal would improve the tonality overall. Part wood and gilt frame, good condition."
"This lot is offered for sale subject to Sotheby's Conditions of Business, which are available on request and printed in Sotheby's sale catalogues. The independent reports contained in this document are provided for prospective bidders' information only and without warranty by Sotheby's or the Seller."

The attribution to Fontana was endorsed by Dottoressa Maria Teresa Cantaro on the basis of photographs prior to the Christie's sale in 1999 (see Provenance). Dott.ssa Cantaro has noted stylistic similarities between the present work and Fontana's series of small portraits painted between 1580 and 1599 (see M.T. Cantaro, Lavinia Fontana bolognese, Rome 1989, pp. 142-4).