Giovanni di Ser Giovanni Guidi, called Scheggia

With Cassirer, Berlin;
Weininger;
By whom sold ("From the Weininger Collection"), New York, Christie's, 10 January 1980, lot 126c (as by Domenico di Bartolo).

B. Berenson, "Quadri senza Casa," in Dedalo, XII, 1932, p. 533, reproduced (as by Francesco di Antonio);
B. Berenson, Florentine Pictures of the Renaissance, London 1963, Vol. I, p. 64 (as by Francesco di Antonio);
B. Berenson, Homeless Paintings of the Renaissance, London 1969, p. 165, reproduced p. 164, fig. 287 (as by Francesco di Antonio);
L. Bellosi and M. Haines, Lo Scheggia, Florence-Siena 1999, p. 77 (as by Scheggia, a late work).

The following condition report has been provided by Simon Parkes of Simon Parkes Art Conservation, Inc. 502 East 74th St. New York, NY 212-734-3920, simonparkes@msn.com, an independent restorer who is not an employee of Sotheby's. This work appears to have been transferred from its original panel and subsequently backed either with a thin version of its original panel, or with a different piece of wood. The paint layer is stable and the panel is flat. Whether or not this has been completely transferred from its original wood or simply repaired is as yet unknown. There is no particular area that is noticeably restored, but there are numerous small retouches here and there. The gilding seems to the period albeit slightly worn. Much of the paint layer appears to be perfectly healthy although it is quite transparent in places. There is some recurring instability in the cheek of the Madonna, in the green gown on the left shoulder and beneath the child. It seems that this picture would respond well to cleaning and retouching.
"This lot is offered for sale subject to Sotheby's Conditions of Business, which are available on request and printed in Sotheby's sale catalogues. The independent reports contained in this document are provided for prospective bidders' information only and without warranty by Sotheby's or the Seller."

This painting was ascribed to Francesco di Antonio by Bernard Berenson and published as such in his lists of Florentine Renaissance paintings and homeless paintings (see Literature).  It was subsequently recognized as a late work by Scheggia, the younger brother of the painter Masaccio, by Luciano Bellosi and Margaret Haines and included in their catalogue of the artist's work in 1999 (see Literature).  Another painting, Madonna and Child with Music-Making Angels, also long ascribed to Francesco di Antonio and now considered to be an early work by Scheggia, was sold at London, Sotheby's, 9 December 2009, lot 24