Lot 124
  • 124

Alessandro Varotari, called Padovanino

Estimate
20,000 - 30,000 USD
bidding is closed

Description

  • Alessandro Varotari, called Padovanino
  • Portrait of a lady, three-quarter length, holding a kitten
  • oil on canvas, unframed

Literature

F. Dabell, Venetian Paintings from Titian to El Greco, New York 1991, p. 110, cat. no. 21;
U. Ruggeri, Il Padovanino, Soncino 1993, pp. 68-69, cat. no. 11, reproduced in color.

Condition

The canvas is relined. Overall this painting presents well to the naked eye and there do not appear to be any major holes or damages. UV light reveals scattered retouches mostly isolated to a few areas including the sitters neck, very small retouches in her chest, along her left forearm and hand, and in her right breast. The painting is covered in a slightly milky old varnish which could be freshened up.
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.

Catalogue Note

This should be considered a work from the artist's early maturity, from circa 1620. Here Padovanino's portrait style comes closest to that of Titian: the turn of the body and the positioning of the hands unmistakably derive from the master's Portrait of a noblewoman holding an apple from the Kress Collection, in the National Gallery of Art, Washington.1 

1. See P. Humfrey, Titian, The Complete Works, Ghent 2007, p. 284, cat. no. 215, reproduced in color.