Lot 301: Francesco Cairo (Milan 1598-1674)

Francesco Cairo (Milan 1598-1674)
An allegory of Victory
with inscription '...Cairo.' and with number '3'
pen and brown ink, brown wash, heightened with white, inscribed as an octagon with brush, brown wash and white bodycolour indicating the direction of the light, on blue-grey paper, unframed
10 5/8 x 8 1/8 in. (27.1 x 20.6 cm.)

G. Vallardi (L. 1223), with associated inventory number in red chalk 'G772' (on the verso).

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Although there is no record of Francesco Cairo having painted a related composition, the present drawing, which seems to be a design for a ceiling fresco or panel, is stylistically extremely close to the few drawings known by the artist.

We are grateful to Professor Giulio Bora for his assistance in preparing this catalogue note.