CIRCLE OF ALVISE VIVARINI (VENICE 1442/53-1502/05)

At the time of its sale in 1950 (see Provenance), this portrait was given to Alvise Vivarini, an attribution then endorsed by Antonio Morassi and Lionello Venturi. Publishing it in his 1982 monograph, John Steer placed it under rejected attributions, though noted its relation to Alvise and in particular its affinity with the portrait at that time in the Johnson collection and those in the National Gallery, London, and the National Gallery of Art, Washington, D.C. (loc. cit.). Steer had not seen the painting in person but cites Dr. Weitzner who stated that the painting was "well preserved." It is possible that the restoration now evident, most notably the repainting of the sitter's doublet, was understaken after Weitzner saw the painting.