Madonna Enthroned, with the Child, St John, the Archangel Michael, St Francis, St Lucia, St Joseph

In the catalogue of the Stanisław August collection, the painting was originally valued at 12 ducats and in 1795
at 35 ducats; this reflects the relatively low market value of
16th-century Italian paintings among 18th-century collectors. It was
listed as being by Annibale Carracci or his school, which may seem
surprising since the correspondence concerning the acquisition and
transport of the painting mentions a ‘painting on copper’ by Ludovico
It is evident from archival research carried out by Ewa Manikowska
(2007), that Stanisław August acquired the painting in 1781 as a gift
from the Marquess Cesary Giuseppe Zagnoni of Bologna, on the occasion of
the Marquess’ endeavours to be awarded a Polish order (most probably
the Order of the White Eagle). The correspondence on this matter lasted
from December 1780 to 18 March 1781; it mentioned a small religious
painting on copper by Ludovico Carracci its dispatch to Warsaw was
delayed. The painting was not received very warmly (See E. Manikowska, Sztuka – Ceremoniał – Informacja. Studium wokół królewskich kolekcji Stanisława Augusta,
Warszawa 2007, p. 70). Zagnoni received a letter of thanks from the
king’s secretary, Gaetano Ghigiotti, which was more a diplomatic
courtesy than a sincere expression of gratitude. [See D. Juszczak, H.
Małachowicz, The Stanisław August Collection of Paintings at the Royal Łazienki. Catalogue, Royal Łazienki Museum, Warsaw 2016, no. 26, p. 126.]