Attributed to Salvatore Castiglione

With Hazlett Galleries, London, 1968;
With M. Knoedler & Co., New York;
Anonymous sale, New York, Phillips, 19 November 1980, lot 14 (as by Giovanni Benedetto Castiglione);
With Donald Purdy, Westport, CT;
From whom purchased by the present owner.

A. Percy, Giovanni Benedetto Castiglione, Master Draughtsman of the Italian Baroque, exhibition catalogue, Philadelphia 1971, p. 59, under note 147 (as an unusual variant of an Allegory of Poetry and Music by Giovanni Benedetto Castiglione);
M. N. Schleier, in Kunst in der Republik Genua, exhibition catalogue, Frankfurt am Main 1992, p. 133, reproduced fig. 61.2. (as attributed to Salvatore Castiglione).

Relined tightly and paint surface has been somewhat pressed as a result. There are some scattered thinnesses in the browns of the background and in the darks of the foliage. Despite this, the overall composition still reads well and many of the colors remain vibrant. Under UV light: there are scattered small retouches in the sky with a larger area of retouching in the foliage and rocks at upper right. There is some retouching to the figures and landscape at far left side at center. One area of retouching over a possible old puncture in center foreground. Otherwise just some scattered very small minor retouches here and there in figures and foreground. This painting is presentable and can be hung as is. Offered in a carved and gilt wood frame.
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.

Salvatore Castiglione was a painter, printmaker and writer, and the younger brother of Giovanni Benedetto Castiglione.  The central portion of this painting, with the figures of Poetry, Music and the reclining satyr, appear to be based on a painting and drawing by Giovanni Benedetto.¹

1.  See A. Percy, under Literature, p. 42, reproduced fig. 34 (painting); and p. 113, cat. no. 93, reproduced fig. 93 (drawing).