Giulio Pippi, called Giulio Romano (Rome 1499-1546)

One of several studies of herms by Giulio which were formerly in Richardson's collection and afterwards dispersed. Another, showing a herm draped with garlands and very similar in style to the present work, was sold at Christie's, New York, 10 January 1990, lot 25. Other comparable drawings were sold at Sotheby's, London, 16 November 1972, lot 85 and from the Arthur Feldmann collection at Sotheby's, London, 6 July 2005, lot 82.