Baldassare Franceschini, called Il Volterrano (Volterra 1611-1689 Florence)
Two Studies for the Sacrifice of Isaac
Inscribed On The Recto In Black Chalk
Black Chalk, Verso A Letter In Pen And Brown Ink By Volteranno
195 X 255 Mm. (7¾ X 10 In.)
Provenance :
Drawings By Baldassare Franceschini, Called Il Volterrano; Sotheby’s London, 3 July 1980, Lot 68.
Private Collection, England.
According to the 1980 sale catalogue Volterrano frequently used the backs of letters for his drawings, and other examples are in the 1980 sale catalogue, the Uffizzi and elsewhere.
Volteranno’s first teacher was Matteo Rosselli, however he was very influenced by the illusionistic fresco work painted by Cortona in the Palazzo Pitti. Volterrano knew of the work of Caravaggio, as a result of trips to Parma, Bologna and Venice (in 1640, 1652 and 1662 respectively). These were financed by the Grand Duke. Volterrano worked on frescoes in numerous palazzos including the Palazzi Niccolini, Capponi and della Gherardesca.
