Workshop of Pietro Lorenzetti

Christie's, London, 29 June 1972, lot 95 (as Follower of Pietro Lorenzetti)
Probably Ian Woodner (1903-1990)
Christie's, London, 9 December 1994, lot 35 (as Pietro Lorenzetti)

Cristina de Benedictis, La pittura senese 1330-1370, Florence, 1979, pp. 34 and 65, cat. no. 58, reproduced fig. 62 (as Pietro Lorenzetti e bottega).

On a single stable panel with a very light bow. The paint surface is in good overall condition given the picture's age. There is an uneven craquelure and there is surface dirt and no apparent damage or loss of paint visible to the naked eye except for a few minor old flecks of paint loss in the punch work. Examination under ultraviolet reveals old infilling to the craquelure and there are three very minor scattered but well restored retouches in her shoulder, the pillar and to the doorway. There is also some strengthening upper left and to the inside edge of the punch work lower left but otherwise the picture is in good overall condition. Offered in a simple gilt wood 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."

Dating from the years 1338-1342 this panel is stylistically comparable to The Last Communion of St. Mary Magdalene given to the workshop of Lorenzetti in the Joslyn Art Museum, Omaha (inv. no. 1945.103). The punched quatrefoil ornamentation visible at the sides of the present work recurs later in the work of Lorenzetti’s contemporary Bartolomeo Bulgarini (circa 1300-1378) and his collaborator, the Master of Palazzo Venezia (circa 1340-1360) as can be seen in Saint Vittorio of Siena (Statens Museum fur Kunst, Copenhagen) painted circa 1350. It is likely that the tool passed from the workshop of Lorenzetti to Bulgarini.

We are grateful to Prof. Dr. Gaudenz Freuler for his assistance in cataloguing this work.