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The authorship was recognized by R. M. D. Thesiger in 1963, and published with the correct attribution in 1965. It reflects this Bolognese painter's recently acquired understanding of Venetian lighting and brushwork. The confident handling of form suggests a date c. 1584. It is outstanding among Annibale's single figure paintings of the period before he moved to Rome.

PROVENANCE Geo. Brudenell, 4th Earl of Cardigan; MHW3, List B (envelope C,f.6), c. 1770, as 'Fred. Zucchero The Head of a Young Man £32'.