Bottega di Giovanni Bellini

Julius Böhler, Monaco di Baviera, 1930;
Theodor Fischer, Lucerna;
Martin Schönemann, Lugano, 1954.

O. Gronau, Giovanni Bellini, Stoccarda 1930, p. 189, illustrato (come Giovanni Bellini);
Weltkunst, 1 settembre 1953, p. 3, illustrato a colori in copertina (come Giovanni Bellini);
F. Heinemann, Giovanni Bellini e i Belliniani, Venezia 1959, vol. I, p. 41, cat. no. 144k, illustrato vol. II, p. 246, fig. 255 (come Bottega di Giovanni Bellini).

The catalogue illustration is overexposed. To the naked eye numerous retouchings are visible on the Virgin's cloak and on Saint Joseph's face, a discoloured retouching is visible on the Virgin's cheek and various on the Child's flesh and on the cloth at his feet. Uv light reveals numerous restorations throughout the paint surface, more concentrated on the Virgin's cloak and on Saint Joseph's face. These restorations cover paint losses, many other retouchings realized by paintbrush tip fluoresce on the Child's belly. The painting is offered in an important polychrome tabernacle frame well visible in the catalogue illustration.
"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 composizione è nota in numerose varianti e deriva probabilmente da un originale perduto di Giovanni Bellini. Un'altra versione di buona qualità, di formato ovale, già pubblicata come originale ma più probabilmente solo una versione di bottega, si trova al Kunsthistorisches Museum di Vienna.