Italian School, 1533

The panel is cradled and has been waxed on the reverse. There are vertical additions, approximately 3 in. in width to the left and right edges. The underdrawing is visible in areas of the fleshtones, notably in the Virgin's feet and Christ's face. There are scattered retouched losses, some of which are a little discoloured and faintly visible to the naked eye. The retouching is particularly concentrated on around the joins of the additions and along the lower edge. There are small areas of repaint in the drapery on the Virgin's right leg and to the craquelure in the bodice of her robe. Retouching has been finely applied to surface cracks in the Child's waist and legs and the left side of the Virgin's face. Offered in a decoratively carved black and 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.

Mauro Lucco notes similarities between this panel and another Madonna and Child by the Sicilian painter, Girolamo Alibrandi, offered at Sotheby's Monaco in 1989.¹  It is thought Alibrandi was working in the Veneto circa 1507-1513 and his last documented painting is dated to 1524, nine years earlier than the execution of the present panel.  Andrea De Marchi, however, links the painting to works by Giovanni Antonio Lappoli, suggesting the present anonymous artist may have been working in Lappoli's circle.  Lappoli worked in Florence in the ambit of Andrea del Sarto and Pontormo and later in Rome, before returning to his home city of Arezzo.

We are grateful to both Professors Mauro Lucco and Andrea De Marchi for tentatively suggesting attributions on the basis of photographs.

1.  Anonymous sale, Monaco, Sotheby's, 16-17 June 1989, lot 304 (as Antonio Sellaio).