Circle of Luca Giordano, called Fa Presto

The painting is unlined and preserved on its original stretcher, which has a slight bow to the lower edge. The paint surface is quite dry and appears to have been largely untouched for some time and has beautiful areas of impasto, particularly in the boy's drapery. There is a crack to the paint surface, possibly from the canvas seam, running vertically parallel to the right hand edge. The craquelure is a little pronounced in parts, leading to some areas of lifting in the background at the lateral edges and to the satyr at left, with the occasional minor loss which cold be attended to. Inspection under UV is impeded by the dirty varnish but there appear to be some areas of strengthening to the background beneath the angel. The painting would benefit from a clean and fresh varnish. Offered in a simply carved black and gilt 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.

The painting relates to a work in the Museo Provincial, Cadiz, which hangs with a pendant depicting Saint Michael.¹ In their 1992 monograph, Oreste Ferrari and Giuseppe Scavizzi dated the Cadiz pair to circa 1695 and noted that both works appear to be by Giordano with workshop collaboration. In their monograph they relate the opinion of Gaya Nuño e Pemán y Pemartin that the Cadiz Guardian Angel may be a copy after a lost original. A copy is listed in the Old Cathedral, Cadiz.

In the distance the city of Naples can be seen.

1. O. Ferrari and G. Scavizzi, Luca Giordano, L'opera completa, Naples 1992, vol. I, p. 338, cat. no. A547 b, reproduced vol. II, fig. 693.