Excerpt from Facsimiles of Original Studies: In the University Galleries, Oxford Woodburn, in 1823. Mr. Woodburn opened a negotiation for the purchase of the Chevalier's collection, and the M. Vicar was tempted by the offer of eleven thousand Roman scudi. The transfer of these treasures was duly reported in the Diario di Roma, and great interest was created in consequence. The public for the first time became aware of their existence in a collected form, and an offer was made to Mr. Woodburn from Russia, which he patriotically declined, determining to keep them for his own country. A singular incident at the sale of these drawings of the Chevalier Vicar revealed the existence of other treasures of remarkable interest and value. Mr. Woodburn discovered that some designs by Raffaelle remained in the keeping of the Marquis Antaldi of Pesaro, the name of whose ancestor is mentioned above, and he resolved to endeavour to secure these important relics. Accordingly, he set out for Pesaro, where his perseverance was rewarded by a view of these interesting remains of art history. He found there a portrait of Timoteo Della Vite, a scholar of Raffaelle, and his executor. This is said to be the finest head ever produced in black chalk. Besides this most valuable prize, were some admirable drawings, and on the back of two of them were found studies for sonnets. This historical evidence, if other things were wanting, is beyond all question of the highest value. The Marquis of Antaldi was a descendant of Timoteo Della Vite, the friend and pupil of Raffaelle, and these drawings had never been out of his family. Hence, in addition to the artistic testimony which is marked upon these product-ions we have historical evidence of a character which is almost incontrovertible. The studies for sonnets on the back of two of the drawings of course add materially to their interesting character. About the Publisher Forgotten Books publishes hundreds of thousands of rare and classic books. Find more at www.forgottenbooks.com This book is a reproduction of an important historical work. Forgotten Books uses state-of-the-art technology to digitally reconstruct the work, preserving the original format whilst repairing imperfections present in the aged copy. In rare cases, an imperfection in the original, such as a blemish or missing page, may be replicated in our edition. We do, however, repair the vast majority of imperfections successfully; any imperfections that remain are intentionally left to preserve the state of such historical works.