Miniature on a cutting, perhaps from a historiated initial, illuminated manuscript on vellum

large oval cutting, 145mm. high, enclosing the Virgin seated and reading from an open book, the Christ child on her lap lifting up one hand to support a sceptre, all before two winged putti who hold up a green cloth between them, verso blank, some flaking of paint from Virgin's clothing and minor damage to edges, else good condition,elaborate Florentine gilt-bronze and silver frame, c. 1700, with half-relief of the God the Father

This miniature is by a close follower of the celebrated Renaissance illuminator, miniaturist, and painter Giulio Clovio (1498-1578). The painter has a great degree of skill, and the high foreheads of the Christ child and exaggerated Mannerist postures suggest that this may be from a series of miniatures for a gradual and an antiphoner made for the choir of San Marco in Venice by Giovanni Battista da Udine (fl. 1567-76). Fourteen initials are known, one of which has been published in Binski and Panayotova, Cambridge Illuminations, 2005, no. 66.

The motif of the seated Virgin, head gently tilted to the left, supporting the Child and a book, is taken from a series of early Dürer prints (including one of Dürer's earliest major prints: the Holy Family with the Three Hares, c. 1496; the popular The Madonna with the Monkey, c. 1498; and The Madonna and Child with a Music-making Angel, 1519). Clovio owned a collection of Dürer prints (which he allowed El Greco to study), and Vasari records that one of the artist's earliest works was a pen study of the Madonna taken from a Dürer print. The simplicity of the ornament is more suggestive of Clovio's pen or pencil drawings than his miniature paintings, and Clovio's lost sketch may be the ultimate source of this miniature.

Condition is described in the main body of the cataloguing where appropriate.
"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."