Antwerp School, circa 1520

The following condition report has been provided by Simon Parkes of Simon Parkes Art Conservation, Inc. 502 East 74th St. New York, NY 212-734-3920, simonparkes@msn.com, an independent restorer who is not an employee of Sotheby's. This pair of double sided panels has not been recently or properly restored. Both work would certainly benefit from re-examination. In both cases, there is an open vertical original join to the panels. The restorations are quite broad in places. These are misleading, as they suggest there is quite a lot of damage. In reality, although there are paint losses and areas which require careful restoration, the works are in predictable condition. The image that has attracted the most retouching is The Nativity, where the figures of the Christ child and his parents have all suffered more than the other three images. These pictures need attention, but given the health of the paint layer in many areas, the weak areas will certainly benefit from restoration.
"This lot is offered for sale subject to Sotheby's Conditions of Business, which are available on request and printed in Sotheby's sale catalogues. The independent reports contained in this document are provided for prospective bidders' information only and without warranty by Sotheby's or the Seller."

These panels likely would have been part of a larger compound altarpiece featuring scenes from the Passion of Christ.  The Arrest of Christ composition shows the influence of Hieronymous Bosch, the distinctive and preeminent painter of the low countries at the turn of the 15th century.