Francisco Rizi

Castromonte collection, Madrid, no. 32 (according to an old label on the reverse).

The canvas has been lined, the paint surface is stable and the varnish appears even but somewhat discoloured. There is some buckling in the canvas, upper left. The varnish fluoresces opaquely under ultraviolet light, but there are scattered strengthenings and retouchings visible throughout the canvas, as well as some visible repaired minor damages. These include one horizontal damage, measuring 2 in., in the shoulder of the standing man on the left, and another under the armpit of the kneeling man bottom left. There is a faint horizontal line visible, which runs the width of the paintings, with retouchings along it in the centre where it passes beneath Christ's chin. In good overall condition. Offered in a plain gilt wood frame in good condition.
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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."

This is a late work by Rizi, who served as court painter to both King Philip IV and Charles II and is a key representative of baroque court painting in Madrid at its height. The only other Baptism known by the artist is that recorded by Palomino, formerly in the Church of Santa Cruz and apparently destroyed by a fire in the early eighteenth century.¹

1. See Palomino, Lives of the Eminent Spanish Painters and Sculptors, ed. New York 1987, p. 266 and p. 268, footnote 18).