Studio of Guido Reni

Possibly Bertram Arthur Talbot, Earl of Shrewsbury (1832-1856), Alton Towers;
Possibly his deceased sale, London, Christie's 6 July 1857, lot 188 (to Agnews);
Marquess of Hastings (according to the Doetsch sale catalogue);
Henry Doetsch (circa 1839 - 1894);
His deceased sale, London, Christie's, 22 June 1895, lot 23;
With Central Picture Galleries, New York;
George Encil, Vienna and the Bahamas.

Bologna, Pinacoteca Nazionale, Guido Reni, 5 September - 13 November 1988, no. 52;
Frankfurt, Schirn Kunsthalle, Guido Reni und Europa, 2 December 1988 - 26 February 1989, no. A19;

S. Pepper, Guido Reni, A Complete Catalogue, Oxford 1984, p. 259, under cat. no. 118, nos. 3 and 9 (as a copy);
S. Pepper, Guido Reni, L'Opera Completa, Novara 1988, pp. 335-336, no. 28 (as by Reni);
S. Ebert-Schifferer in Guido Reni und Europa, exhib. cat., pp. 169-174, cat. no. A19  (as "nach Guido Reni?");
R. Spear, "Re-viewing the 'Divine Guido", in The Burlington Magazine, vol. CXXXI, May 1989, p. 370 (as a copy).

The picture is less acidic in tone than the catalogue illustration would suggest. The canvas has been lined and the paint surface has not been compromised appearing to be in very good overall condition with no apparent areas of damage or loss of paint visible to the naked eye apart from two very very minor indentations by the right most putti's outstretched arm, visible only under a raking light. The colours remain vivid and fresh. Examination under ulreviolet light reveal very minor flecks of cosmetic retouching to the fleshtones i.e. the upraised hand. Similarly there are minor areas of cosmetic retoucing in the drapery and to the clouds centre right and in the background upper left. There is also minor retoucing to the lower and upper canvas edges to old minor scattered abrasions. Overall however the picture appears to be in good ready to hang condition. Offered in an ornate gilt wood and plaster frame in good overall 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."

The composition repeats that of the slightly larger painting formerly in the Almagiá collection, Rome.¹

1. See S. Pepper, Guido Reni, A Complete Catalogue, Oxford 1984, pp. 258-9, cat. no. 118.