Giuseppe Zocchi

The paint surface is slightly worn, with the red ground visible slightly across the canvas, but no flaking or major loss of paint. The canvasses have different relinings, in both cases recent. There are more than one campaignes of restoration evident under Ultraviolet light. The first of the pair has a large area of repainting on the right hand side by teh treees, and some older retouching throughout the foliage on the left side, as well as some very minor restrengthening of the black detail of the figures. The second of the pair has a repaired inverted L-shape tear, measuring 20 cm across and 25 cm down, in the upper right of the canvas. This damage has been carefully repaired and is not detectable with the naked eye.There are scattered retouching throughout the left hand side, and again, some very minor restrengthening to the darker details of the figures. Overall the paint surface is stable, and luckily has not suffered much darkening or fading so that beautiful freely-painted detail, particularly of the foliage and the clothing, is well- preserved and enjoyable. The pair are sold in matching wooden frames painted gold. They are simple in design and have a few very small scratches, but are structurally very sound.
"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."

An autograph preparatory drawing for the sacrificial scene reproduced to the right (with the patriarch standing next to the fire, arm raised) is published in A. Tosi, Inventare la realtà, Giuseppe Zocchi e la Toscana del '700, Città del Castello 1997, pp. 264, 268, reproduced p. 268. That drawing was sold Paris, Christie's, 17 March 2005, lot 73.