Italian School, 17th Century

Oil on canvas, not lined. The canvas is relatively slack on the structure. There is one wax hash to the back of the canvas at upper right verso; an additional patch that's upper center, just to the right above the blind man's head wrecked out. Surface dirt and dust. A stable web of widely spaced craquelure. 32 inch long vertical scratches to the surface at lower left corner; an additional horizontal scratch with associated loss. An area of discolored retouching in the subjects forearm, as well as in his hand. Under UV light, the majority of the work is obscured by a green fluorescing varnish. The aforementioned areas at upper left and two upper right above the subjects had florescence. Additionally two dots in the subjects proper left beard; two areas along the left center edge; as well as fluorescing around the aforementioned scratches at lower left. A few small scattered additional dots and dashes of retouching.
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.