Gennaro Basile

C.J. Wawra;
By whom (anonymously) sold, Vienna, Dorotheum, March 8, 1927, lot 146, for 800 francs to Otto Copony;
Thence by descent to the present owner.

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. This painting has been lined with glue. The cracking is slightly raised but the paint layer is not unstable. The condition generally seems to be good. Under ultraviolet light there are no immediately apparent restorations and it is more than likely that although a few retouches may be removed if the picture were to be cleaned, it will not be necessary to add any more than a few cosmetic retouches around the edges. Overall the condition is excellent.
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.

According to Meyer (see J. Meyer, Allgemeines Künstler-Lexikon, Leipzig 1885, vol. III), there was once a self-portrait by Gennaro Basile in the collection of the Schloss Leopoldskron, Austria. The once extensive collection of portraits, including those by artists such as Poussin, Rembrandt and Rubens, was disposed of by the end of the 19th century. The present painting may be identifiable with Basile's self-portrait once in the Schloss.

This painting was signed or inscribed on the reverse Genaro Basili (see fig. 1) before being relined in 1965.