Giovanni Biliverti, Saint Bernard of Clairvaux holding the Cross c.1620

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Description

Giovanni Biliverti 1585-1644
Charcoal on Laid Paper
65.5 x 52.5 x 6.0 cm

Giovanni Biliverti, (Florence 1585-1644 Florence), Saint Bernard of Clairvaux holding the Cross. Black chalk heightened with white chalk on light brown paper with the watermark of a crowned eagle bearing initials VC.A counter-proof of a figure in red chalk verso.
The drawing was previously catalogued as Circle of Fra Bartolommeo but has been recently re-attributed to Giovanni Biliverti, by Rick Scorza, the pre-eminent Art Historian & Renaissance Scholar. The drawing relates to a painting by Biliverti of the same subject, St Bernard of Clairvaux, that was formerly housed in the church of San Giusto dei Cappuccini, Pisa, side panel of the high altar.It is believed the present drawing is a working drawing for the painting, as there are compositional differences but the overall direction of the drawing and the painting are harmonious.
The re-attribution of this drawing to Biliverti was established in written communication from Rick Scorza to Crispian Riley-Smith , in 2007. The red chalk drawing verso is possibly a counter-proof from another drawing within an album prior to the framing of the work.
Giovanni Biliverti was born the son of Delft-born goldsmith Jacques Bijlvert (1550-1603), whom was appointed head of Francesco de'Medici's workshop. Biliverti  trained with Sienese painter Alessandro Casolani (1552/3-1607)  in Siena before returning to Florence and joining the workshop of Ludovico Cardi, called Cigoli. He became one of Cigoli’s chief assistants, and remained in his studio for some fifteen years, with Cigoli's work heavily influencing Biliverti's in terms of both draughtsmanship and composition.
Approximately three hundred drawings by Biliverti survive, with the bulk of such being held in the Uffizi and the Louvre. Many of the existing drawings can be related to paintings by the artist.

Provenance: Anonymous sale, Christie's London, 6 July 1976, lot 22 (as circle of Fra Bartolommeo);                         
Baron Paul Hatvany (1899-1977); his sale, Christie's London 1980, 24 June, lot 23 (as Florentine School, circa 1600);
Professor Raymond E. Pahl, FBA, (1935-2011).                           
Crispian Rilely-Smith Fine Arts                            
Private Collection London

Condition: The drawing is in a good condition commiserate with its age. There are some light marks to the top of the drawing and small paper loss to edge. The drawing has been hinged on all sides and is not mounted. Housed in a classic hardwood 19th Century frame, with acid free conservation mats and backing board. It is glassed with anti-reflective invisible glass "artglass AR70" which has UV Block of 70% Visible Light Transmission of 99% and a Reflection of 1%.Framed Size: H 65.5 cm x W 52.5 cm x D 6 cm  Image Size: H 35.4 cm x W 22.4 cm

Price: $8,500

Wright Gallery Fine Art

The Trust Building, Suite 713, Level 7, 155 King Street, Sydney, NSW 2000 Australia
Sydney, CBD NSW 2000

By Private Appointment

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peter@wright-gallery.com