GIOVANNI BATTISTA NALDINI (1537-1591)

The Holy Family with the Infant Saint John the Baptist.

Oil on poplar panel: 71 x 55.3 cm.

PROVENANCE:  

Marchese Girolamo Bartolommei (d.1831)
Palazzo Bartolommei-Buschetti

LITERATURE:

Inventory dated 14th July, 1831 Transcription:

Inventario dei quadri esistenti nel palazzo di Firenze, già di abitazione del defunto sig. marchese cavalier Girolamo Bartolommei, situato in via Lambertesca e segnato di numero comunale 1249, nel 14 luglio 1831, giorno della morte di detto sig. marchese..Santa Famiglia, di Giovan Battista Naldini zecchini 25

NOTES:

This late Mannerist painting was executed in about 1575 by Pontormo’s favourite pupil, Naldini, who is well-known for the work he did under Vasari for Francesco de' Medici in the Studiolo. The sculptural handling of the Madonna and Child in the present work would suggest a possible influence from Pontormo’s other pupil, Bronzino.  It is thought this painting was used as an altar-piece in the private chapel at the Palazzo Bartolommei-Buschetti in Florence.