FOLLOWER OF PIER FRANCESCO MOLA, CIRCA 1700 | Hagar and Ishmael

oil on canvas, unframed A near contemporary copy after the original composition by Mola that exists in two fully autograph versions: the first is in the Louvre, Paris, datable to 'circa' 1657;1 the second in The Blanton Museum of Art, Austin, Texas.2 This copy is closer to the Blanton version. The differences between the Louvre and Blanton versions are small: there are slight differences in the form of the cloud on which the Angel appears to Hagar, in the trees and rocks of the background, and in the placement of Ishmael's torso and in his arm that supports his sleeping head. 1 http://cartelfr.louvre.fr/cartelfr/visite?srv=car_not_frame&idNotice=17042 http://collection.blantonmuseum.org/Obj16485?sid=12446&x=314344

All paintings available to view at the Sotheby’s Greenford Park warehouse, 5 - 7 and 10 – 13 September (10 - 4pm), by appointment. The canvas has an old and effective re-lining. The paint surface is dirty - the varnish uneven and discoloured. There are a few tiny losses, a few small retouchings visible under UV light, and some frame abrasion at the edges - but overall in nice condition.
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