North Italian School, 17th Century

Anonymous sale, London, Sotheby's, 18 April 2002, lot 95 (as Genoese School, 17th Century), for £18,000, where acquired by the present owner. 

Ariccia, Palazzo Chigi, Mola e il suo tempo, 22 January - 23 April 2005, no. 29.

F. Petrucci, in Mola e il suo tempo, exhibition catalogue, Ariccia, Palazzo Chigi, 22 January - 23 April 2005, p. 160, cat. no. 29, reproduced in colour (where listed as by a "Painter from Lombardy or the Veneto, second half of the 17th Century").

"The following condition report has been provided by Henry Gentle, an independent restorer who is not an employee of Sotheby's. The canvas is unlined but has been strip-lined and consolidated. The stretcher marks are pronounced with some paint loss along them. The paint surface is stable but there is evidence of many minor losses to the surface. There has been a significant paint loss through the head of the Saint and a diagonal loss through his arm. Under Ultra-violet light a scattering of small, and not so small, restorations can be seen throughout the surface replacing paint losses and abrasions revealing coarsely textured canvas. Areas of paint to the body are in good condition with the paint textured well preserved. The varnish is slightly discoloured and its removal would improve the tonality."
"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."