Studio of Guido Reni

C. Garbol and E. Baccheschi, L'Opera completa di Guido Reni, Milan 1971, p. 103, under cat. no. 124, reproduced p. 103, fig. 124¹;
P. Murray, Dulwich Picture Gallery: A Catalogue, London 1980, cat no. 204;
S. Pepper, Guido Reni: A Complete Catalogue of His Works with an Introductory Text, New York 1984, p. 247, cat.89.1;
K. Jacobson, Los Angeles County Museum of Art Report, July 1, 1983-June 30, 1985, Los Angeles 1985;
S. Schaefer, et al., European Painting and Sculpture in the Los Angeles County Museum of Art, Los Angeles 1987, p. 83, reproduced.

The canvas has a wax relining and securely stretched. The original edges of the canvas are now unfolded and visible. The paint surface is stable and good beneath a clear varnish. There is a strip of old abrasion and damage running approximately 3 in. from the upper and lower edges that appears to have been purposefully left during the previous restoration campaign, perhaps the result of the canvas edges having folded further at an earlier stage. Inspection under UV reveals scattered older retouching through the throat and chest and more recent retouching to minor losses and to the craquelure pattern throughout the flesh tones, particularly concentrated in the figure's right hand though these have been sensitively applied. There is a small repaired loss of approximately 1 in. in the bridge of the nose. There is restoration to a possible old tear running horizontally from the left eyebrow, approximately 4 in. across. While the upper and lower edges could be attended to if prefered, the painting is otherwise ready to hang in its present state.
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.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING CONDITION OF A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD "AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF SALE PRINTED IN THE CATALOGUE.

This painting is a studio copy after Guido Reni's Lucretia, now in a New York Private collection.¹  The original canvas, inscribed Lucrece / Guido Reni / P.Altieri,  was likely commissioned as a gift for Cardinal Altieri  when he became Pope Clement X in 1670.

1.  S. Pepper under Literature, p. 247, cat.89, reproduced plate 113.