Sébastien Bourdon

To the naked eye: The painting is in good condition. It has been relined a bit strongly about twenty years ago. No visible restoration. Under UV lamp: Under a green uniform varnish. We can notice some restorations in the upper left corner. Some dots of restoration in the arm of the angel holding the palm in the upper part. We can notice some very slight retouching in the upper right corner, some spots in the coat of the priest on the right and in the hair and shirt of the man with white shirt on the right. Some slight thin retouchings in the Virgen coat and in the coat and face of the woman praying behind the Virgen. All these retouching are minor and very ponctual. They are very well done and the painting doesn't need restoration.
"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."

Painted between 1636 and 1642, this is an early work by Bourdon, from the beginning of his first Paris period, just predating the Crucifixion of Saint Peter painted for Notre-Dame. Bourdon clearly drew his inspiration for the work from Simon Vouet’s canvas of the same subject painted for the church of Saint-Paul-Saint-Louis in Paris, now in the Louvre.

Two other versions exist, both of  similar dimensions: one last recorded in the collection of Sir Brinsley Ford, London; the other in a french private collection (see J. Thuillier, Sébastien Bourdon, Paris 2000, p.213, cat. nos. 73 - 1 & 73 - 2).

A copy was sold Paris, Sotheby’s, 24 June 2005, lot 45. The subject was engraved by Jacques Vauguer (1621-86) as part of a set of nine biblical compositions after Bourdon.