Italian, Veneto, circa 1500

Overall the condition of the stucco is good. There is wear and dirt to the surface consistent with age. Due to craquelure throughout areas of paint have been lost, particularly around the edges of the group aand including to the Virgin's nose. There are a few chips to the edges of the drapery and the base including to the veil above the Virgin's proper right eye. There is an area of retoration to the front of the base.
"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."

This fine polychromed stucco Pietà echoes paintings of the same subject by 15th-century Venetian artists, such as Giovanni Bellini's Pietà in the Pinacoteca di Brera. In sculpture, the present group is reminiscent of Andrea Riccio's Cristo in Pietà tra la Vergine e San Giovanni in the church of Santo Stefano in Carrara near Padua (Gentilini, op. cit. pl. 69). Note the similarity between the two Christs, particularly in facial type and expression. The frontal presentation of Christ's body in the present group, with arms side by side, shows the influence of Donatello's relief with The dead Christ and two angels from the High Altar in the Santo, Padua (Banzato, op. cit. pp. 280-1, no 78). Pietà groups in stucco and wood appear to have been especially popular in 15th and 16th-century Northern Italy. An analagous 16th-century North Italian polychromed wood group with the Pietà, probably inspired by Bernardino da Bissone's relief of the subject, was sold at Sotheby's New York on 17th October 2000, lot 14.

RELATED LITERATURE
G. Gentilini, 'Un busto all'antica del Riccio e alcuni appunti sulla scultura in terracotta a Padova tra Quattro e Cinquecento', Nuovi Studi, 1, 1996, pp. 29-46, pl. 69; D. Banzato and G.F. Martinori, Donatello e il suo tempo. Il bronzetto a Padova nel Quattrocento e nel Cinquecento, exhib. cat. Museo Civici, Padua, 2001, pp. 208-1, no. 78

This lot is offered with a pigment analysis report by C.S.G. Palladio S.r.l. stating that the pigments used in their samples are consistent with those used in the 15th century.