The following condition report is provided by Henry Gentle who is an external specialist and not an employee of Sotheby's: Florentine School Portrait of a boy holding a compass The panel is stable . There are some minor vertical hairline splits running down from the top edge of approximately 1.1/2" in length. Two small wood knots are visible standing proud of the surface. The paint layer is in a good condition but has become thin and more transparent with the passage of time and these areas have been augmented i.e. the flesh tones of the sitter's face, some areas of the tunic and the background. In these areas the pale ochre ground has become more visible. The paint to the hands , collar, belt and cuffs is in good original condition. There is a residue of older varnish in some of the darker passages imparting an opacity. The newer varnish is matt and does not saturate the surface satisfactorily making it difficult to read. Its removal would improve the tonality. Generally, the painting is in a good state of preservation.
"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."