Girolamo Brusaferro

Sebastian Resch (b. after 1889);
Acquired from the above by Otto Mühlbauer, Munich, in 1930;
By whom sold to the father of the present owner in 1952.

The canvas has an old relining. The paint surface is secure and appears to be in good original condition under an old, dirty yellowed varnish. Inspection under UV light is severely impeded by the varnish but some scattered minor retouchings are just about discernable. Offered in an ornate carved gilt wood frame in good condition with some minor losses.
"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."

The design relates to another work of the same subject by Brusaferro in a Venetian private collection.¹ Of landscape format, it shows Samson in a very similar pose, although his left arm is further outstretched and his entire right arm is included, reaching upwards. Delilah is placed to the right of the composition.

We are grateful to Prof. Lino Moretti for endorsing the attribution to Brusaferro in the basis of photographs.

An alternative attribution to Antonio Pellegrini has been proposed by Davide Banzato, of the Museo Civico in Padua and co-curator of the 1998-99 exhibition there dedicated to Pellegrini.

1. See A. Craievich, Alberto Molinari, Soncino 2005, reproduced p. 271, fig. 112.