Workshop of Lucas Cranach the Elder

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 panel is flat and has never been reinforced. The paint layer is stable. In the lower left, some wood worm has made the panel soft. There are some cracks and losses here as well as in the lower right. The remainder of the painting is recently cleaned and freshly varnished. There are small spots of retouching here and there, but none of them are focused on any particular area. Considering the period, the condition is very presentable. The panel does need consolidation across the bottom edge.
"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."

A similar composition, though with alterations to the position of the arms and background, is in the Hermitage (inv. 8504). That painting is listed as from the workshop of Lucas Cranach the Elder, and is paired with a Dying Cleopatra which features a near identical pose and interior design, albeit in the reverse orientation to both the Hermitage picture and the present version.