With Colnaghi, New York, 1984;
Anonymous sale, New York, Sotheby's, 5 June 1986, lot 77.
 

New York, Colnaghi, 4 April-5 May 1984, cat. no. 24.

Italian, Dutch and Flemish Baroque Paintings, New York 1984, Colnaghi, exh. cat., p. 50, cat. no 24, reproduced p. 51.

The tone of the original is a touch less yellow than it appears in the catalogue illustration. The canvas has been relined. The paint surface is secure and overall in good condition. There is an old restored damage of approx 2 cm squared on the left of his nose and and a handful of old restored vertical damages/tears elsewhere, the most notable of which is in the background to the right of his face and is approx 25 cm long. These old damages have been sensitively and unobtrusively restored. Inspection under UV light reveals retouchings in the area of the aforementioned damages and some minor scattered retouchings elsewhere. Offered in a gilt wood and plaster frame in good condition.
"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."

The painting fits into Salvator Rosa's series of testacce, as head studies of this type were known in the seventeenth century. The work can be dated circa 1650, around the same time as the Head of a Man with a Turban in the collection of the late Sir Dennis Mahon (on loan to the Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery) and another work formerly at Woburn Abbey sold in these Rooms.¹ The works are characterized by broad brushstrokes and strong contrasts.


1. Anonymous sale, London, Sotheby's, 8 July 2010, lot 176, for £32,000.