The following condition report has been provided by Simon Parkes of Simon Parkes Art Conservation, Inc. 502 East 74th St. New York, NY 212-734-3920, simonparkes@msn.com , an independent restorer who is not an employee of Sotheby's. This charming panel is well framed and is on what appears to be the original panel, with a horizontal reinforcement across the center. An old crack has been repaired which runs through the cheek and hand of the saint. The paint layer is clean. The gilding may well be restored. Under ultraviolet light, no immediate retouches are clearly visible, yet one would expect restoration to have been applied to the vertical join in the panel and perhaps to a few cracks and small blemishes in the face. The picture should be hung as is.
"This lot is offered for sale subject to Sotheby's Conditions of Business, which are available on request and printed in Sotheby's sale catalogues. The independent reports contained in this document are provided for prospective bidders' information only and without warranty by Sotheby's or the Seller."