Emilian School, late 16th century

Painting is relined. Some minor scratches and losses to the original paint are present, primarily in lower half of canvas. A strip of discolored retouched paint is present on the left hand side of the canvas, possibly present due to rubbing from a prior frame. Thin areas are noticeable in the darks of the costume and the beard, and these areas have lost some of their definition. An area of discoloration in the lower right corner, not visible in the catalogue photograph is present, possibly due to abrasion to the paint surface. U.V. light reveals some minor retouching in the drapery which is invisible to the naked eye, although the thick, milky varnish renders any subtle retouching invisible. A test cleaning patch over the "s" in the upper writing above is present. The painting is in a slightly abraded painted gilt wood frame.
In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective qualified opinion.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING CONDITION OF A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD "AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF SALE PRINTED IN THE CATALOGUE.

Hernán Cortés (1485-1547) was a Spanish conquistador who overthrew the Aztec empire (1519-21) and won large portions of Mexico for the Spanish King.

The present portrait may relate to the lost portrait of Hernán Cortés, one of 400 portraits of famous and illustrious Europeans amassed by Paolo Giovio (1483-1552) for his villa-museum in Borgovico, just north of Como.   The portraits from this celebrated collection, which have either been destroyed or dispersed, are known today through painted copies commissioned by Cosimo I de' Medici.  The depiction of Hernán Cortès was copied by Cristofano di Papi dell' Altissimo (see fig. 1), a pupil of Bronzino and Pontormo, who Cosimo I sent to Como in 1552.  That copy, now in the Uffizi (inv. no. Ic144), is inscribed, like the present portrait, along the upper edge with the Latin name of the famous conquistador.