Sleeping Putto
Painting on oval canvas housed in a rectangular frame • Circle of or Manner of Guido Reni / Francesco Albani (Italian, Bolognese School)
Style & Movement
Late Baroque (Bolognese Classicism)
Medium & Technique
Oil on canvas, employing chiaroscuro and sfumato for soft flesh tones and atmospheric depth
Creation Period
Late 17th to early 18th Century
Dimensions & Format
Approximately 50 x 60 cm (oval within a rectangular ornate gilt frame)
Subject Description
A slumbering winged putto or cupid reclining on a red velvet cushion with gold tassels. The figure rests its head on its arm against a dark, indeterminate background, symbolizing innocence or the repose of Love.
Condition & Value Assessment
Condition Assessment
Good. Surface shows age-appropriate craquelure and slight yellowing of varnish.
Estimated Market Value
$8,000 - $15,000 USD
Auction Estimate
$5,000 - $10,000 USD
Provenance History
Likely European private collection; features an 18th or 19th-century style Louis XIV/XV revival swept gilt frame suggesting a history in a formal gallery setting.
Art Historical Significance
Illustrates the enduring influence of the Bolognese School and the popularization of 'sleeping cupid' motifs in late 17th-century decorative and devotional arts.
Notable Features
High-quality oval format within a lavishly carved giltwood and gesso swept frame with acanthus leaf motifs and shell cartouches.
Condition Issues
Fine web-like craquelure across the surface, minor losses to the plaster of the gilt frame, and some oxidation of the varnish layer.
Conservation Recommendations
Professional surface cleaning and a light varnish refresh; maintain stable humidity/temperature to prevent further frame cracking.