Francisco Collantes

With Julius Weitzner by 1971;
From whom acquired by the present owner.

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 work seems to be in very good condition. The canvas has a good lining. The paint layer is stable. The varnish is good. The work could be hung in its current state, although it may be slightly dirty. The condition in the sky and around the profile of the leaves on the trees is very good, and there is no reason to think that the condition throughout the remainder of the picture, including the figures, is any different. The varnish does block ultraviolet light from identifying restorations, but although one can see that the red dress in the lower left has received some retouches, it seems unlikely that there are any significant losses or abrasion in most areas of the picture.
"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."

Francisco Collantes, one of the few Spanish landscape painters of the seventeenth century, is well known for his expansive vistas with small, biblical or mythological figures.  This impressive composition illustrates an intriguing episode from Book XIV of Ovid’s Metamorphoses in which a shepherd from Apulia vigorously mocks an elegant group of dancing and singing nymphs.  As punishment, the shepherd is transformed into an olive tree that bears fruit as bitter as his scornful words.