Filippo Tarchiani

The painting is redder in tone than the catalogue illustration suggests. The modern relining has flattened the paint surface somewhat, particularly in the sky, but in other areas the impasto is better preserved. To the naked eye it appears that under the slightly discoloured varnish the sky has been abraded somewhat and subsequently been retouched in areas. The paint surface is much thicker and in better condition in the rest of the painting, particularly in the figures and in the fish, where only minor discoloured retouchings can be made out with the naked eye, for example in the whites of the angel's cloak and in his neck. Tobias' hair and the blues of his shorts are a little abraded.Inspection under UV light reveals minor scattered retouchings throughout which are not obtrusive and have been sympathetically applied. In the sky the retouchings are more concentrated and extensive.The painting is offered in a later plain wooden frame in fair condition. Il dipinto ha toni più rossi rispetto all’illustrazione in catalogo. La tela, offerta in una cornice di legno in buone condizioni, presenta una reintelatura moderna che ha piuttosto appiattito la superficie pittorica, soprattutto nel cielo, mentre nelle figure la conservazione è migliore e la pittura ha mantenuto ancora le sue corposità. Ad occhio nudo si osserva infatti un certo contrasto tra la zona interessata dal cielo, che sembra aver subito vari interventi di ridipintura, ed il resto del dipinto. Nelle figure, nel paesaggio e negli elementi della natura morta è ancora percepibile infatti la forza materica originale, soprattutto nel pesce al centro della composizione e nei due personaggi, dove si riscontrano solo piccoli ritocchi scoloriti, per esempio nella veste bianca dell’angelo e nella zona del collo, e leggere abrasioni nei passaggi dei capelli e delle vesti blu di Tobia. L’analisi con la lampada di Wood rivela ritocchi sparsi, di piccola entità, non invasivi e ben realizzati, su tutta la superficie pittorica e conferma la presenza di interventi maggiormente concentrati ed estesi nel cielo.
"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. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."