Ercole Graziani the Younger

The catalogue illustrations are too warm in tone compared to the paintings in the original. The canvases have been strip-lined and are mounted onto later stretchers. The paintings are in wonderful untouched, original condition and the brushwork is beautifully preserved. The freshness of the paint application is clearly visible, even through the discoloured varnish layer, and this is largely due to the fact that the canvases have never been lined. There are a few very minor localised damages or tears, but none of these are serious or affect the overall excellent condition of the paintings. Joseph's brothers selling him into slavery: an irregularly-shaped tear (4 x 6 cm.) in the sky upper left; another (4 cm.) beneath the elbow of the leftmost figure; two small holes, one on the head of the leftmost figure and one the fingers of Joseph's left hand. Joseph's brothers in Egypt: damages include a small tear (3 cm.) on the forearm of the man wearing green and clasping his hands centre left, together with an even smaller damage on his right hand; and another (2 x 4 cm.) on the right heel of the kneeling figure in the lower centre foreground (visible in the catalogue illustration). Overall, however, the paint surface in both paintings is beautifully preserved. The matching plain gilt wood frames have numerous knocks and damages (one even has a missing piece on the upper left inside edge).
"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."

We are grateful to Dott.ssa Donatella Biagi Maino for suggesting an attribution to Ercole Graziani the Younger on the basis of photographs.