The Nativity
Perino del Vaga·1534
Historical Context
The Nativity by Perino del Vaga, painted in 1534, is a religious work by one of Raphael's most gifted pupils and collaborators. Perino worked with Raphael on the Vatican Logge and other major Roman commissions, developing an elegant, decorative style that anticipated Mannerism. After the Sack of Rome in 1527, he worked in Genoa for Andrea Doria before returning to Rome, where he became the leading decorative painter.
Technical Analysis
Originally on panel and transferred to canvas, the painting shows Perino's characteristic elegance and sophisticated compositional design. The refined figures, graceful poses, and rich color harmonies reflect his training under Raphael while displaying the mannered elongation and complexity of his mature style.
Provenance
Commissioned by a member of the Baciadonne family for Santa Maria della Consolazione, Genoa, where it remained until the end of the 18th century. Cardinal Joseph Fesch [1763-1839], Paris; (his sale, Palazzo Ricci, Rome, 17 March 1845 and days following, no. 813); purchased by M. George. William Ward, 11th baron Ward [1817-1885, created 1st earl of Dudley in 1860], Witley Court, Worcestershire, England, by 1849;[1] by inheritance to his son, William Humble Ward [1867-1932], 2nd earl of Dudley, Witley Court; (Dudley sale, Christie, Manson & Woods, London, 25 June 1892, no. 91); purchased by Sir John Charles Robinson [1824-1913], London, for Sir Francis Cook, 1st Bt. [1817-1901], Doughty House, Richmond, Surrey;[2] by inheritance to his son, Sir Frederick Lucas Cook, 2nd Bt. [1844-1920], Doughty House; by inheritance to his son, Sir Herbert Frederick Cook, 3rd Bt. [1868-1939], Doughty House; by inheritance to his son, Sir Francis Frederick Maurice Cook, 4th Bt. [1907-1978], Doughty House, and Cothay Manor, Somerset; sold 1947 or 1948 to (Gualtiero Volterra, London) for (Count Alessandro Contini Bonacossi, Florence);[3] sold March 1949 to the Samuel H. Kress Foundation, New York;[4] gift 1961 to NGA. [1] According to G.F. Waagen, _Art Treasures of Great Britain_, 1854, II:233. The painting was lent by Dudley to the 1857 Manchester exhibition. [2] Annotated sales catalogue, copy in NGA curatorial files. [3] See the copy of a receipt in NGA curatorial files. It is undated, but may be placed in 1947, or at the latest 1948, on the basis of its location in the Cook Collection Archive in care of John Somerville, England. Volterra was Contini Bonacossi's agent in London. [4] The Kress Foundation made an offer to Contini Bonacossi on 4 March 1949 for a group of twenty-one paintings, including a "Pierin del Vaga Altar Piece;" the offer was accepted on 10 March 1949 (see copies of correspondence in NGA curatorial files, see also The Kress Collection Digital Archive, https://kress.nga.gov/Detail/objects/2254).
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