Giuseppe Bottani

Possibly Marchese Andrea Gerini;
Probably Empress Joséphine, Château de La Malmaison;
Probably by inheritance to her son, Prince Eugène de Beauharnais;
Probably Sale, "Vente mobilière du Château de Malmaison," 31 May - 16 June 1829, lot 671 (as by "Pompeo de Sintoni");
There acquired by Monsieur Debourges, Mayor of Rueil.

Catalogue des tableaux de S.M. l'Impératrice fait à la Malmaison le 26 prairial an 13 [15 Juin 1805], no. 30;
Inventaire après décès de l'impératrice Joséphine à Malmaison, 1814 (published by S. Grandjean, Paris 1964), no. 962;
Partage des tableaux de la galerie de Malmaison: prince Eugène, July 1814;
A. Pougetoux, La Collection de Peintures de L'Impératrice Joséphine, Paris 2003, pp. 74-75, cat. no. 11, reproduced (as Pompeo Batoni).

Picture is unlined and the varnish is fresh. Good coloration and retention of original detailing. The paint layer is stable. The paint is thinning slightly in the drapery of the figure of Christ as well as the hair of Thomas. Retouches are visible under UV along the edge of the hairline of Thomas, as well in his drapery and within his right hand, which has been pulled together. More are found along the left edge of the of the composition. Overall though, this work is in quite favorable condition and presents a strong image. It could be hung in its current state. In a carved gilt wood frame.
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.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING CONDITION OF A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD "AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF SALE PRINTED IN THE CATALOGUE.

We are grateful to Dr. Edgar Peters Bowron for identifying this work to be by Giuseppe Bottani.

This is one of two known versions of this composition by Bottani.  Another version was sold, London, Christie's, 17 June 1988, lot 98 (oil on canvas, 135.5 by 77 cm.).¹  It must have enjoyed a certain degree of popularity as an engraving after the composition was made by the artist's brother, Giovanni Bottani, noting that, at that time, it was in the collection of the Florentine collector, Marchese Andrea Gerini (1691-1766).  Provenance for the present painting, although unclear, is intriguing.  It may, indeed, be identifiable with the version that was in the Gerini collection in the 18th century (although it is equally possible that the other version mentioned above could be the Gerini picture).  More recently, however, the present work, which had formerly been ascribed to Pompeo Batoni (1708-1787), has been linked to a painting listed as by Batoni of the same subject that was in the collection of Empress Joséphine at Malmaison.  It was published as such in Alain Pougetoux's catalogue on Joséphine's collection (see Literature).  The dimensions of the Malmaison picture, given in an 1811 inventory, are 36 by 22 pouces which closely matches the measurements of the present picture.  Given the similarity of the surnames of "Bottani" and "Batoni," there certainly could have been some confusion concerning the artist's correct name in old inventories.  However, until further evidence can firmly link the present work to the one in Joséphine's collection, this must remain somewhat speculative.

Six preparatory drawings by Bottani for The Incredulity of Saint Thomas are known:  three depicting the head of Saint Thomas, two depicting Christ's head, and one depicting the hand of Thomas (see Giuseppe Bottani, exhibition catalogue, Florence 2000, pp. 201-202, reproduced figures 15a-f.).

1. A third version, but without the two figures of apostles on the far left, was sold, London, Christie's South Kensington, 26 April 2006, lot 209.