Roman School, circa 1620

Alfred Landry, according to an old inscription and label on the reverse of the frame.

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. Although the restoration here is reasonably effective, the lining could be improved. It looks like a reversible and appropriate lining, but it has not subdued the cracking to the degree one would like. The original canvas seems to have either been joined horizontally across the center or possibly folded; there is a visible thin scar running through this area. The painting shows restoration under ultraviolet light in isolated marks here and there throughout the figures, but there are fewer retouches in the lighter colors of the hands and in the faces and the condition does not appear to be compromised in the background. If the picture were cleaned, the palette may brighten slightly, but the restorations that exist are quite accurate. It is arguably only the raised cracking that is an issue to this otherwise well-preserved painting.
"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."

This anonymous hand was likely an artist working among the Caraveggesque followers in Rome in the decades following Michele Merisi da Caravaggio's death in 1610.  The painting appears to date between 1620 and 1630.