Attributed to Master of the Bracciolini Chapel

In the family collection of the present owner for at least two generations.

The catalogue illustration is representative. The panel support has warped and, as visible in the catalogue illustration, a crack can be made out which runs from the lower edge to the Madonna's hand and from the Madonna's hand to the upper edge. Another crack runs from the head of the saint at right to the upper edge. The gold ground is worn but the wide range of punchmarks is still well preserved in the two saints and the Madonna. The paint surface is dirty but, apart from the craquelure, in fair condition. Some discoloured retouchings can be made out in the lower part of the Madonna's cloak. Inspection under UV light otherwise reveals scattered, old retouchings along the craquelure and aforementioned cracks, as well as some more recent retouchings in the red shirt of the Madonna. Large passages of the figures remain untouched. Offered in a red velveted open box, with some 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."

We are grateful to Prof. Miklos Boskovits for tentatively proposing an attribution to the Master of the Bracciolini Chapel, an anonymous master working in the orbit of Agnolo Gaddi and so-named after the small chapel in the church and monastery of San Francesco, Pistoia, that he decorated with frescoes to the order of the great humanist and scholar Gian Francesco Poggio Bracciolini (1380-1459). For further information on the artist and his decoration of Santa Maria a Ripalta, see E. Neri Lusanna, P. Ruschi, Santa Maria a Ripalta, Florence 1992.