This excellent iteration of the Italian Renaissance portrait of "the baker's daughter" was for many years attributed to the master Raphael Sanzio but has been attributed to the talented friend of Michelangelo, Sebastian del Piombo. One of the treasures of the Ufizzi Gallery, the original was painted in 1512 and bears strong resemblance to the study of Cleopatra completed by Michelangelo. For much of the 19th century the painting was thought to depict the mistress of Raphael, Margherita Luti, the lovely young woman wears an ermine lined cape and a garlanded wreath on her braided head. The reverse of the painting is signed by the artist and a later hand notes the provenance of the original in Florence. The piece is contained in a lemon gilt frame with a shallow arched head. An arresting composition in a fine period frame.

H 30 in. x W 25.5 in. x D 3 in.

H 76.2 cm x W 64.77 cm x D 7.62 cm

Fine condition, no evident repairs or in-painting to canvas