Wednesday 12 November 2025

Lot 70

Circle of Bartolomeo Passarotti, Italian 1529-1592-  Hercules and the Cretan Bull;  pen and...

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Lot 70

Circle of Bartolomeo Passarotti, 
Italian 1529-1592- 
Hercules and the Cretan Bull; 
pen and...

Starting Bid: £340

Estimate: £500 - £700

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Lot 70

Description

Circle of Bartolomeo Passarotti, 
Italian 1529-1592- 

Hercules and the Cretan Bull; 

pen and brown ink on paper, with watermark of a column with a cross within a circle 'Fabriano' (Ref. AR135A), bears inscription 'N. 2505' (upper left), 47 x 28 cm. 

Provenance: 
Private Collection, UK. 

Note: 
This nude figure study of Hercules and the Cretan Bull is rendered with confident hatchwork and firm, decisive contours, which imbue it with an almost sculptural heft. It closely resembles the work of the Bolognese painter Passarotti, who was also a prolific draughtsman, and a keen and astute observer of the human form. In addition, it shows the influence of drawings by an earlier generation of artists including those of the Florentine sculptor and draughtsman Baccio Bandinelli (1493-1560), in whose workshop Passarotti studied. The composition illustrates a keen interest in the forensic exploration of the human form, which was a central feature of Passarotti's work, evident in his many studies of anatomy and sculpture, including the sheet showing a male torso at the National Gallery of Art, Washington [2000.124.1.b], as well as his study of a male nude from behind which sold at Dorotheum, Vienna, on 30 March 2016, lot 79. The present work also bears distinct similarities to the oeuvre of Francesco Brizio (1574-1623) who worked under Passarotti, and later the Carraccis. The watermark dates the sheet to 1585. 

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Buyer's Premium

The buyer shall pay the hammer price together with a premium thereon of 26% up to £20,000 (31.2% inclusive of VAT), 25% from £20,001 - £500,000 (30% inclusive of VAT), 20% from £500,001 thereafter (24% inclusive of VAT). The premium price is subject to VAT at the standard rate.

VAT
VAT is not charged on the hammer price unless it is stated that there is 'VAT applicable on the hammer price at the end of the description. Buyer's premium is subject to VAT.
(ARR) - ARTIST'S RESALE RIGHT

Qualifying living artists and the descendants of artists deceased within the last 70 years are entitled to receive a re-sale royalty each time their work is bought through an auction house or art market professional.

It applies to lots with hammer value over £1,000 as follows:
0 to £50,000 - 4%
£50,000.01 to £200,000 - 3%
£200,000.01 to £350,000 - 1%
£350,000.01 to £500,000 - 0.5%
Exceeding £500,000 - 0.25%
ARR is capped at £12,500

Please note ARR is calculated in euros. Auctioneers will apply current exchange rates.

Export of goods

Buyers intending to export goods should ascertain whether an export licence is required before bidding. Export licences are issued by Arts Council England and application forms can be obtained from its Export Licensing Unit. Details can be found on the ACE website www.artscouncil.org.uk or by phoning ACE on 020 7973 5188. The need for import licences varies from country to country and you should acquaint yourself with all relevant local requirements and provisions before bidding. The refusal of any such licences shall not permit the cancelling of any sale nor allow any delay in making full payment for the lot.

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