Cabinet d’un peintre

Témoignage du voyageur anglais John Evelyn (1644).

[1644] Next morning, we were invited by a painter, who was keeper of the picture and rarities, to see his own collection. We were led through a gallery of old Rosso’s work, at the end of which, in another cabinet, were three Madonnas of Raphael, and two of Andrea del Sarto. In the Academy where the painter himself wrought, was a St. Michael, of Raphael, very rare ; St. John Baptist, of Leonardo, and a Woman’s head ; a Queen of Sicily, and St. Margaret, of Raphael ; two Madonna, whereof one very large, by the same hand ; some more of del Sarto ; a St. Jerome, of Perino del Vaga ; the Rape of Proserpine, very good ; and a great number of drawings.

(The diary of John Evelyn, Ed. William Bray, J.M. DENT et E.P DULTON, London-New York, 1905, Tome 1, p.60.)