Follower of Giovanni Battista Cimaroli

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 canvas is unlined and may remain thus. The paint layer is most likely quite dirty and in need of cleaning. Darkened and fairly broad retouches have been applied around the tower in the blue and other loose strokes of restoration may have been applied in the upper sky, yet it is hard to identify restorations either with the naked eye or under ultraviolet light. While there is a good deal of clarity to the figures in the foreground generally, there are old losses which have been restored here and there. If the picture were to be carefully cleaned, it will brighten and although restorations will be removed during this process, the amount of actual damage is most likely not significant.
"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."