The Head of a Bishop (possibly St Ambrose or St Donato)
Giorgio Vasari (Arezzo 1511 – Florence 1574)
Category
Art / Oil paintings
Date
1569
Materials
Oil on panel
Measurements
635 x 400 mm (25 x 15 3/4 in)
Place of origin
Italy
Order this imageCollection
Tatton Park, Cheshire
NT 1298175
Summary
Oil painting on panel (softwood), The Head of a Bishop (possibly St Ambrose or St Donato) by Giorgio Vasari (Arezzo 1511 – Florence 1574). 1569. Oval. Bust-length portrait of a bishop's head in mitre and ecclesiastical robes, back to spectator, turned to the left, looking over his shoulder. It is now considered to be part of the Bosco Marengo Altarpiece painted for Pope Pius V for the high altar of the Church of Santa Croce in Vasari's home town of Bosco Marengo. The Bishop has been identified with St. Augustine, a Christian saint, theologian and a Father of the Church (A.D.354-430).
Provenance
Bought in Florence as Andrea del Sarto by Earl Egerton; bequeathed by Maurice Egerton, 4th Baron Egerton of Tatton (1874 - 1958) to the National Trust with the house, gardens and contents of Tatton Park
Marks and inscriptions
Verso: on luggage label on cradling: No.2.Bedroom. / No 2 / Head of a Prelate on Panel/ Oval. / Italian School; and in pencil 7/9/39 / Storage TF [and later inscrs. re treatment for woodworm 1954/55 Verso: on top l. h. spandrel, in pencil: Room No 2 / R H fireplace / 19/7/39 (followed by two pairs of initials); on l.h. side: Treated for / Woodworm / Oct 1st 1960
Makers and roles
Giorgio Vasari (Arezzo 1511 – Florence 1574), artist previously catalogued as attributed to Cerano (Cerano c.1575 - Milan 1632), artist