Lot 745: After Andrea Del Sarto, late 19th century-

After Andrea Del Sarto, late 19th century- Portrait of a Sculpture, traditionally held to be a self portrait of the artist; oil on canvas, 74x59cm: Note: Andrea Del Sarto, his reputation now somewhat obscured by that of Raphael. An incident in the life of Andrea del Sarto relating to a copy after Raphael and illustrates the similarity between the two contemporary artists, a portrait of Pope Leo X by executed c.1523 by Raphael. The painting commissioned as a gift for Federico II Gonzaga Duke of Mantua from the Ottaviano de Medici. When completed the Ottaviano de Medici unwilling to part with the painting had Del Sarto make a copy and sending it to the Duke as the original by Raphael. Gorgio Vasari went to see the painting apparently aware of the deceit, presumably told to him by del Sarto. The Duke was only convinced that it was not the hand of Raphael when Vasari revealed a secret mark only known to the original artist, a common practice for artists and craftsman for centuries. (LP)