Ciro Ferri

The canvas has been relined and appears slightly pressed in some areas like on her left arm. Underneath a dirty varnish, the painting presents a strong image. The colors may have overtime lost some of their vibrancy, especially in the darker hues of the background. Small areas of thinness are visible, such as on the hand of the lady. Inspection under UV reveals some retouching to the darker areas, such as the lower right corner, the details on her hair, and beneath the fasces. Some older spots of retouching are visible on the figure, and have even discolored making them visible to the naked eye. UV light exposes a milky varnish which may impede further reading. Perhaps a cleaning might help improve the appearance of the painting. It is offered in a carved, gilded frame that has some brown painted details and a few small scattered nicks.
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.