19th century follower of Giandomenico Tiepolo

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. These four paintings are not lined. The tacking edges have been reinforced and while they are all slightly wavy and a little cracked on the surface, the paint layer is stable in each picture. Under ultraviolet light the paintings do not show any restoration. The paint layer of each painting are all slightly dirty. Although the pictures have an attractive patina, they could be cleaned further. The heads and hats of each figure seem to be in very good state. The backgrounds seem to be similarly well preserved, particularly in Fales. The darker backgrounds may have received some restoration in the past but we are unable to discern this. In general the pictures should be hung in their current states, unless further cleaning is desired. Further cleaning will reveal a brighter paint
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.

These head studies relate to a series of heads of old men in various costumes executed by Giandomenico Tiepolo in varying mediums. Diogenes relates most closely to Giandomenico's painting, Head of a Patriarch, now in the Art Institute, Chicago.  Thales relates most closely to the etching, Profile of an Old Man with a Beard (see A. Rizzi, The etchings of the Tiepolos, Phaidon 1971, p. 396, reproduced p. 397, fig. 213.)  Anaxagoras derives from a drawing, an etching, and a painting by Giandomenico, Old Man with a Large Hat, (op.cit., p. 354, reproduced p. 354, fig. L1 and p. 355, fig. 170).  Phocion most directly relates to a drawing, an etching, and a painting by Giandomenico (op.cit., p. 398, reproduced p. 398, fig. LXIII and p. 399, fig. 215; and A. Mariuz, Giandomenico Tiepolo, Milan 1997, cat. no. 216). 

The original compositions by Tiepolo do not seem to have been intended as portrayals of these Greek historical figures.