Frank K. Howard;
By whom given to The Queen's Hospital, Honolulu, HI;
By whom given to The Honolulu Academy of Arts, Honolulu, HI in 1951 (as by Carlo Ceresa, acc. no. HAA 1134.1);
By whom sold, Honolulu, M.J. Lipton, 2 October 1964.

The canvas has a wax relining and the surface has been somewhat pressed as a result. There are scattered abrasions throughout, particularly the darks of the background. There are scattered, crudely applied retouches and fills to two horizontal lines of damage from the stretcher bar across the center. The painting still presents a striking figure with good detail in the costume. Inspection under UV light confirms the aforementioned retouching with further retouching in the hand and letter and scattered through flesh tones of costume and areas of the background, particularly on the right side. This painting has not been attended to in some time and the retouches could be removed and applied more sensitively. The painting still presents a wonderful image overall. Offered in a simply carved gilt wood frame.
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.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING CONDITION OF A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD "AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF SALE PRINTED IN THE CATALOGUE.

Though an attribution for this striking portrait has not yet been determined, there is consensus that it is by an artist working in the Lombard region of Italy.  Stylistically it is similar to works that in the past have been given to the painter Pier Francesco Cittadini, an artist who worked mainly in Bologna but whose early training is thought to have been with the Milanese painter, Daniele Crespi.  However, more recent studies by Daniele Benati have shown that, in fact, nothing is documented concerning Cittadini’s activity as a portrait painter and any attributions of portraits to him are tenuous at best.¹

The sitter of this portrait has traditionally been said to be Lorenzo Onofrio Colonna (1637-1689), 8^th Duke and Prince of Paliano, a member of the illustrious aristocratic Roman famiꦇly.

 

1.  See D. Benati, Figure come il naturale. Il ritratto a Bologna dai Carracci al Crespi, ex🐈hibition catalogue, Dozza , Castello Malvezzi Campeggi, 2001.