Luca Giordano

Anonymous sale, London, Christie's, 21 July 1972, lot 148 (as the Presentation in the Temple);
Where acquired.

C. Wright, A Catalogue of the Old Master Paintings in the Collection of Mr. and Mrs. J.V. Feather at Bridley Manor, Surrey, Surrey 1974, pp. 29-30, cat. no. 7, reproduced fig. 7 and two details.

The canvas has an old relining. This picture has likely not been restored in many years. There are scattered retouches which have discolored overtime and are plainly leaves visible to the naked eye. These are present along the top edge in an area about 7 inches long in the middle sky and scattered in very isolated areas throughout the composition. The paint has also thinned rather uniformly, leaving the red preparatory ground visible. A professional restorer should be consulted to see if the painting should be cleaned, but a re-adjustment of the discolored isolated retouches would be advisable. In a carved 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."

We are grateful to Giuseppe Scavizzi for confirming the attribution to Giordano on the basis of a photograph. He dates it probably to the last years of the artist's life, considering it "an original work, of great quality, done in his most  'classical' manner."