Master of Villalobos Active in Léon during the second half of the 15th Century

Dr. Schretlen, Amsterdam.

C. Post, A History of Spanish Painting, vol. VII, part II,  p. 833, reproduced p. 834, fig. 332;
M. Haraszti-Takacs, La Peinture Espagnole des Primitifs à Ribera, 1966, p. 1.

"The following condition report has been provided by Henry Gentle, an independent restorer who is not an employee of Sotheby's. The panel has some deformation across the picture plane and there is evidence of previous worm damage. The paint layer is raised into ridges and unstable with evidence of previously treated blisters and there is a knot causing disturbance of the paint layer at the bottom right corner. There is a scattering of discoloured restorations across the surface where paint loss has occurred, particularly along the raised ridges which have been abraded; however, some of this is clumsy and excessive. A filigree of fine, pale shrinkage cracks have been reduced. The face and halo are in good condition and other areas have a well preserved quality, much of the restoration belies the fact that, overall, the painting is in a good condition. Removing the varnish would improve the tonality. Offered in a plain gilt wood frame."
"This lot is offered for sale subject to Sotheby's Conditions of Business, which are available on request and printed in Sotheby's sale catalogues. The independent reports contained in this document are provided for prospective bidders' information only and without warranty by Sotheby's or the Seller."

According to Post (see Literature) this panel once formed part of the large retable of the life of St. Felix at Villalobos in Zamora. Another panel from the retable, depicting St. Bartholomew, of the same size and with the same halo, is recorded by Post in the Borchard collection in New York.