Donato Creti

The canvas has a recent, sensitive relining. The paint surface is secure and in good condition under a dirty, old varnish. There is an area of old damage lower left in the white and retouching is evident to the naked eye in this area. Inspection under UV light confirms this and reveals some other minor scattered old work, most notably along the right hand edge and in the lines of the shadow of the cushion and boy's shirt. Offered in a plain gilt wood frame somewhat scratched.
"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 freshness of the brushstrokes suggest that this is a preparatory work, most likely painted from life, for a detail of Creti's Allegory of Charity from his series of The Virtues painted on copper circa 1720, now in the Collezioni Comunali d'Arte, Bologna (see R. Roli, Donato Creti, Milan 1967, p. 88, cat. no. 29, reproduced figure 53). Roli lists as autograph another version of the composition of almost exactly the same dimensions in a private collection in Bologna (op. cit., p. 92, cat. no. 54, reproduced figure 56). Unlike the present work which differs in some of the details, the Bologna version is an exact replica of the sleeping child in the finished allegory.