Roman School, first half of the 17th century

Marqués de Ficalho collection, 19th century;
Thence by descent to the present owner.

The painting is less grainy in texture and warmer in tone than the catalogue illustration suggests. Some old frame abrasion can be made out along the edges and this has been retouched in the past. The canvas has a fairly old relining which still has enough tension. Under the slightly discoloured varnish the paint surface is particularly well preserved in the thick brushstrokes of the cockerel where the impasto is beautifully preserved. Also in lovely state are the higlights and glazes in the collar, the face and the haira As with many Caravaggesque paintings, the paint has become a little sunken in the darker tones, for exapmle lower left, lower right, and in the right side of the shirt. The fact that the lighter tones of the left side of the jacket are still in good condition suggests that the darker tones may have been more thinly painted originally. Inspection under UV light confirms the retouchings along the edges due to the frame abrasion, particularly the right margin, and reveals a small restored hole lower left, some minor scattered retouchings, reconstruction in the definition of the right eye, some minor scattered spackes of retouching in the face and some small patched in the background upper right. Offered in a carved and gilt wooden frame in good condition.
"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 intriguing work appears to have been painted in Rome within decades following the death of Caravaggio, to whose style it is so clearly indebted. Caravaggio's influence extended far beyond his native shores and inspired artists from northern as well as southern Europe, many of whom journeyed to the Eternal City to witness the new realism that was revolutionising the artistic scene in Rome. Despite the extremely high quality of this painting an attribution to any such painter has yet to be established.