Sleeping Putto (after Caravaggio)
Oil painting on canvas, mounted in a specialized oval window mat within a rectangular frame • Anonymous Artist, after Michelangelo Merisi da Caravaggio
Style & Movement
Baroque Revival / Neoclassical Academicism
Medium & Technique
Oil on canvas; utilizes chiaroscuro (dramatic light and shadow) and sfumato to define the soft flesh and feathers.
Creation Period
19th Century (likely a Grand Tour copy)
Dimensions & Format
Approximately 50 x 60 cm (image only); Horizontal oval format within a large rectangular frame.
Subject Description
A winged putto or cherub is depicted sleeping soundly, leaning his head on his hand. The figure rests upon a red velvet cushion with a gold tassel. The composition focuses on the physical weight of sleep, a hallmark of Caravaggio's original 1608 work, symbolizing the 'silence of the passions' or possibly an allegory of Cupid.
Condition & Value Assessment
Condition Assessment
Very Good; the paint layer appears stable and vibrant with a well-maintained surface.
Estimated Market Value
$1,500 - $3,500
Auction Estimate
$1,200 - $2,500
Provenance History
Likely acquired as a high-quality copy during a European Grand Tour in the 1800s. No specific auction house labels are visible on the front.
Art Historical Significance
The original painting by Caravaggio (at the Palazzo Pitti) was highly influential. This 19th-century copy demonstrates the enduring legacy of Caravaggism and the demand for Baroque masterpieces among private collectors during the Victorian era.
Notable Features
Housed in an exceptionally ornate Rococo-style scrolling gilt frame with shell motifs at the corners and centers, which significantly enhances its decorative value.
Condition Issues
Minor age-appropriate craquelure; potential slight yellowing of the varnish layer; frame shows some minor dust accumulation and small gilt losses at the edges.
Conservation Recommendations
Surface cleaning of the frame and a light professional varnish check. Display in a climate-controlled environment away from direct sunlight to prevent further craquelure.