The Sybil Hellespontica

attributed to Benedetto Gennari the younger (Cento 1633 – Bologna 1715). Oil painting on canvas, The Sybil Hellespontica, attributed to Benedetto Gennari the younger (Cento 1633 – Bologna 1715). A half-length of a woman, one of the twelve prophets or sibyls who foretold the coming of Christ, turned to the right, gazing down to the left, wearing a green and red low-cut dress, and holding an open scoll in her hands on which is inscribed on top of scroll: ILLE DEI LEGEM COMPLE: / BIT. NON VIOLABIT and on bottom right of scroll: SIBILLA / HELLESPONTICA. The composition is not known in any other version nor is it recorded in the Guercino's account book but the high quality of execution, however, in particular of the head and the left sleeve, would suggest that it is close to the studio of the master himself. Ickworth, Suffolk (Accredited Museum)