Alessio d'Elia

"The following condition report has been provided by Henry Gentle, an independent restorer who is not an employee of Sotheby's. There is an old lining in situ and the paint is slightly raised and unstable with three patched and restored damages, lower left, and recent damage upper left and lower right. De-lamination of the paint layer to the sky can be seen, left and right, and further minor paint losses to the paint surface are visible e.g the Virgin's robe, the angel's wing, the sky, lower left, and the foliage lower right. Overall, the painting is in a reasonable condition with most of the paint well preserved and the colours still strong. Tonal improvement would be achieved with the removal of the discoloured varnish. Offered in a plain moulded gilt wood frame, with some losses."
"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."

We are grateful to Prof. Nicola Spinosa for proposing the attribution to Alessio d'Elia upon first hand inspection of the painting. Although not mentioned by the biographer Bernardo De' Dominici, D'Elia is known to have been a pupil of Francesco Solimena. Despite scarce biographical information on the artist, there are numerous documented commissions by D'Elia for the churches in and around Naples, especially during the third quarter of the 18th century. Given the modest dimensions and sketchy technique of this painting it is likely to be a bozzetto for an as yet unidentified altarpiece.