Follower of Jusepe de Ribera, called Lo Spagnoletto

Anonymous sale, Zurich, Koller, 28 March 2003, lot 3048, where acquired by the present owner.

"The following condition report has been provided by Henry Gentle, an independent restorer who is not an employee of Sotheby's. The canvas is lined and the paint layer is stable but slightly raised. The painting has been cleaned and restored quite recently. Along the bottom edge there is a 3cm wide horizontal restored damage. The left hand edge has also seen some repairs. There is a restored loss through the Saint's shoulder and to other minor paint losses. The dark cracking to the flesh tones has been extensively reduced as has the pale cracking within the darker passages, excessively so in my opinion. Under Ultra-violet light these restorations are apparent along with the remains of an older varnish left in situ, which has caused blooming . Delicate glazes to the flesh tones and to some areas of the background have been compromised. The colours saturate well and the varnish is not discoloured. Offered in a plain moulded gilt wood frame in good condition."
"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."

The composition derives from a lost prototype by Ribera, which is known through this and various other copies; see, for example, the work sold in these Rooms, 11 December 1996, lot 247 or that in a private collection, Lima (N. Spinosa, L'opera completa del Ribera, 1978, p. 135, no. 360, reproduced).