Giovanni Battista Langetti

The canvas is unlined and loose in its stretcher. There is a seam down the centre visible in the upper part when viewed from the recto. There are obvious stretcher marks along the upper and right hand margins. There is a band of damage including flaking paint, running along the lower margin, particularly towards the lower right corner. An area of flaking paint around the left side of the Saint's torso. The paint surface is rather dirty and the darker pigments have sunk somewhat. The detail of the drapery and the heads are well-preserved, however.The paint surface retains good impasto throughout the figures, energetic brushstrokes in the torso and drapery. There is a band of damage including flaking paint, running along the lower margin, particularly towards the lower right corner. There are discoloured retouchings along the left and upper margins, and an area 16 x 10 in the red cloak of the saint by his hip. Inspection under ultraviolet light shows an even varnish, retouching the Saint's abdomen, measuring 7 x 10 and 6 x 6 cm. There are very few scattered retouchings upper right, a vertical band of retouching measuring 8 cm. under the raised arm of the Saint. This lot is offered without a 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. 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."

Another version of this subject by Langetti, with the same arrangement of figures but showing them in whole and with small differences to their posture, as well a different man in the background, sold in New York, Sotheby's, 27 January 2011, lot 325, for $98,500 (oil on canvas, 136 x 181 cm.).