Antonio Balestra

"The following condition report has been provided by Henry Gentle, an independent restorer who is not an employee of Sotheby's. The canvas is securely fixed to the panel and the paint layer is stable but a little raised. Under ultraviolet light small restorations can be detected to Achilles' blue cloak and to the foliage above the boulder; the darker cracks to the standing figure have been reduced. The ground colour is a little dominant in some areas, e.g. through the sky and cloud and into the top of the tree, and to the lower left corner, but , overall, the painting is well preserved and the paint texture is untouched. The colours are strong and saturate satisfactorily. There is very little tonal improvement to be achieved."
"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."

A bozzetto  for Balestra's larger canvas of the same subject sold in these Rooms, 9 December 2004, lot 191.