Focus on this artwork and analyze the Provenance.
In the Niccolini family, Casa Niccolini, Florence, from 1677 or earlier to sometime after 1772,
The artist Johann Joseph Zoffany (1733–1810) purchased the painting after 1772
the painting came into the line of the Earls of Cowper about 1775
sold first to George Clavering-Cowper, 3rd Earl Cowper (d. 1789), Panshanger, Hertford, England, and then subsequent inheritances,
George Augustus Clavering-Cowper, 4th Earl Cowper (d. 1799), Panshanger
Peter Leopold Louis Francis Nassau Clavering-Cowper, 5th Earl Cowper (d. 1837), Panshanger
George Augustus Frederick Cowper, 6th Earl Cowper (d. 1856), Panshanger
Francis Thomas De Grey Cowper, 7th Earl Cowper and 7th Baron Lucas (d. 1905), Panshanger and Wrest Park, Bedfordshire, England
Francis' widow, Katrine Cecilia Compton Cowper, Countess Cowper (d. 1913), Panshanger;
Lady Ethel Grenfell, Baroness Desborough, granddaughter of the 6th Earl, Panshanger
sold for $875,000 in 1928 to Duveen Brothers, London, New York, and Paris, who purchased The Small Cowper Madonna from Lady Ethel Grenfall of Desborough in 1913.
sold for $1,166,000 in November 1928 to Andrew W. Mellon, Pittsburgh and Washington, D.C. (1855–1937)
deeded 30 December 1930 to The A.W. Mellon Educational and Charitable Trust, Pittsburgh
gifted in 1937 to the National Gallery of Art in Washington, DC
George Clavering-Cowper, 3rd Earl Cowper Earls of Cowper Florence Wrest Park Duveen Brothers National Gallery of Art Washington, D.C. Johann Joseph Zoffany Francis Thomas De Grey Cowper, 7th Earl Cowper Bedfordshire Pittsburgh Small Cowper Madonna New York Hertford Baron Lucas George Augustus Frederick Cowper, 6th Earl Cowper Baroness Desborough painting London Paris England Earl Cowper Andrew W. Mellon The A.W. Mellon Educational and Charitable Trust