Roman School, 17th century

The following condition report has been provided by Simon Parkes of Simon Parkes Art Conservation, Inc. 502 East 74th St. New York, NY 212-734-3920, simonparkes@msn.com , an independent restorer who is not an employee of Sotheby's. The condition of this picture is quite uneven. The canvas has been lined and there are additional patches on the reverse in the upper center and lower left. The paint layer is quite dirty and has been cleaned unevenly. There are a few spots of what appear to be retouches visible under ultraviolet light, yet beneath an old varnish there will inevitably be more, particularly in the figure. This is a picture that should be considered only with the advice of a restorer, since the amount of restoration needed to bring this painting up to par is quite significant.
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.