The Persian Sibyl (Guercino)

[1] The first definite mention of it is in the painter's account book, which shows the moment of payment for it on completion - 259 lire were paid, equal to just over 64 scudi.

The date was two weeks after the completion of his The Phrygian Sibyl, commissioned for Girolamo Albergati, Bologna's ambassador to Rome, now in an English private collection:[2] "On 6 June.

The work entered the Pio di Savoia collection in the mid 17th century, acquired by cardinal Carlo Francesco between 1655 and 1663, during his time as papal legate to Ferrara, Rondinelli's birthplace.

[2] It was still in the Pio collection in a 1724 inventory before being bought with the rest of the Pio collection by Pope Benedict XIV in 1750 for the city of Rome and its new Museo del Campidoglio (now the Musei Capitolini).

[1] The work then fell into obscurity for over 200 years due to several revarnishings which had deteriorated and it was even downgraded to a studio work by the brothers Cesare and Bartolomeo Gennari.