Portrait of Caffarelli (Gaetano Maiorano)

Pier Leone Ghezzi (Italian, 1674–1755)

mid-18th century

Medium/TechniquePen and brown ink over indications in black chalk on white paper

DimensionsSheet: 31.9 x 22.3 cm (12 9/16 x 8 3/4 in.)
Mount: 48 x 37.6 cm (18 7/8 x 14 13/16 in.)

Credit LineAbbott Lawrence Fund

Accession number1972.922

On View

Not on view

ClassificationsDrawings

Collections

InscriptionsIn pen and brown ink, on mount, in the artist's hand: Sig. re Gaetona Majorani detto Caffarello Musico Napoletano

ProvenanceMid-18th century, part of a volume of caricatures kept in the Spanish Royal Collection [see note 1]; 1813, taken as spoils of war following the Battle of Vitoria, Spain, by Arthur Wellesley (b. 1769 - d. 1852), later Duke of Wellington; by descent within the family to Gerald Wellesley (b. 1885 - d. 1972), 7th Duke of Wellington; 1971, volumes disbound. 1972, sold by R. M. Light (dealer), Boston to the MFA.

NOTES:
[1] From one of two volumes of caricatures (I, fol. 27) probably executed by Ghezzi in Rome and at the court of Charles, King of Naples, between 1734 and 1759 (the title page of both volumes is dated 1780).