Attribué à Giovanni David

Good overall condition. The canvas has been relined (a bit strong). Under ultraviolet light: There are some restorations, mostly in the background, in the vault, along the right pillar, and in the pilaster basis lower left. Some retouches under the foot of the man in the centre of the composition. The legs of the figure holding a torch have been partly repainted. Some small retouches in the trunk of the central dead figure.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

La personnalité artistique de Giovanni David est décrite assez brièvement mais de manière très évocatrice par le biographe Federico Alizieri : " ... peu d'oeuvres connues, un style bizarre et une obscure, mystérieuse athmosphère " (voir F. Alizieri, Notizie dei professori del disegno in Lugurian, Gênes, 1864, t. I, p. 369). Le chromatisme de notre tableau, sa pénombre, son sujet énigmatique correspondent à l'univers étrange de Giovanni David. Artiste génois, il étudia dans l'atelier de Domenico Corvi, à Rome, au début des années 1770, avant de travailler au service du comte Giacomo Durazzo, son mécène. Après un séjour vénitien entre 1775 et 1776 où il réalisa entre autres des décors de scènes pour la Fenice, Giovanni David retourna à Gênes où il reçut une importante commande  pour la réalisation des lunettes de la Sala del Maggior Consiglio du Palazzo Ducale.