Luca Giordano

With Colnaghi, London;
With Hazlitt Gallery, London, by 1963;
David Peel;
By whose executors sold ('The Property of the Estate of the late David Peel'), London, Sotheby's, 17 November 1982, lot 51;
Dr F. Zoellner, Risch, Switzerland;
His sale, London, Sotheby’s, 16 December 1999, lot 175, where acquired by the present owner.

London, Hazlitt Gallery, Italian 17th and 18th century painting, May–June 1963, no. 13.

F. Bologna, in Seventeenth and Eighteenth century Italian paintings, F. Bologna (ed.), exh. cat., Hazlitt Gallery, London 1963, p. 6, no. 13, plate. 6b;
O. Ferrari and G. Scavizzi, Luca Giordano, Naples 1966, vol. II, p. 96, fig. 171, reproduced vol. III, fig. 171;
O. Ferrari, Bozzetti italiani dal Manierismo al Barocco, Naples 1990, p. 155, reproduced p. 153;
O. Ferrari and G. Scavizzi, Luca Giordano, Naples 1992, vol. I, p. 295, cat. no. A266, reproduced vol. II, p. 614, fig. 373.

The canvas has been relined. The paint surface is slightly unclean and the varnish is discoloured. Ultra violet inspection reveals some restoration to the left hand margin approximately 50 cm long, most probably as the result of restoration to stretcher marks. There is also a 20 cm restoration in the lower right stemming from stretcher marks. In the upper right corner there is a 2 x 5 cm. restoration. There is minor scattered retouching throughout the rest of the painting. There is some strengthening in the canopy beyond the figures. Some minor restoration is visible in the figures and their drapery. The work is offered in a carved and gilt wood 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. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

This composition is a sketch for a fresco painted in 1679 depicting the life of Saint Gregorio Armeno in his eponymous church in Naples.