Milanese School, late 15th century

Bruno Canto, Milan;
In the present collection since at least 1963.

The following condition report has been provided by Karen Thomas of Thomas Art Conservation LLC., 336 West 37th Street, Suite 830, New York, NY 10018, 212-564-4024, info@thomasartconservation.com, an independent restorer who is not an employee of Sotheby's. A thick, aged varnish coats the surface of the picture although it appears the upper half was selectively cleaned at some point. Much of the restoration on this painting lies beneath the strongly fluorescing varnish, making its presence difficult to confirm with ultraviolet light. Even so, it appears that retouching in the sky and the architecture addresses abrasion, while smaller touches focus on losses in Joseph's ochre robe, the Virgin's face, and across the floor. Two newer losses are located adjacent Joseph's back. The long hair of the figure on the left with his back to the viewer has been partially reconstructed. The vertically grained wood support is comprised of two boards and displays a mild compound warp. Two modern crossbars have been inset into the reverse of the panel and may be restricting movement of the panel based on losses along the join and a newer crack from the top edge, right of center.
"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 Marriage of the Virgin recalls the painting style of the Lombard artist, Bernardo Butinone.  The manner in which the figures are grouped within an architectural interior with arches looking on to a view of the city is reminiscent of Butinone's frescoed scenes decorating the church of Santa Maddalena in Camuzzago, near Milan.¹

1. G.A. Vergani, "Nuove considerazioni sul ciclo di affreschi attribuito a Bernardino Bufinone nella chiesa di S. Maria Maddalena a Camuzzago," in Arte Lombarda, 73, 1985, pp. 31-44, reproduced.