Miguel Cabrera

The painting has a modern glue relining in good condition. The painting appears to have been restored in the recent past, the image is clear beneath a fresh varnish and the picture requires no further intervention. There is an area of approximately 1 by 4 in. on the upper left edge, beside the dove, that has been filled and inpainted and another at the middle of the right edge, both visible in raking light. There are some areas of thinness and abrasion in the darks, particularly in the leftmost and rightmost figures and in the drapery across Joseph's knee. Inspection under UV reveals inpainting to the aforementioned areas and scattered retouched losses and strengthening throughout. There is retouching to a possible old horizontal 5 in. scratch through the face of the Virgin and to two possible old repaired tears or scratches of 6 in. though the heads of Joseph and the background figures at left. There is a small repaired hole 1 in. in diameter in the chest of the priest at center. The painting is ready to hang in its present state and is offered in a decoratively carved octagonal 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.

Cabrera moved from his native town of Antequera in the state of Oaxaca to Mexico City in 1719 and quickly established himself as the finest painter in New Spain. Cabrera painted both religious works, influenced by the Spanish artist Bartolomé Estéban Murillo (1618-1682), as well as court portraits and became the official painter of the Archbishop of Mexico. Cabrera was also an accomplished literary figure who produced the celebrated Maravilla americana y conjunto de raras maravillas observadas con la dirección de las reglas del arte de la pintura, a study and description of the icon of the Virgen de Guadalupe and the painterly techniques used in its execution.

While Cabrera often signed his paintings, the inclusion of the date is much rarer.