Michelangelo Cerquozzi

The following condition report has been provided by Simon Parkes of Simon Parkes Art Conservation, Inc. 502 East 74th St. New York, NY 212-734-3920, simonparkes@msn.com, an independent restorer who is not an employee of Sotheby's. This work on canvas has a very old lining. It is stretched on what may be the original stretcher. The paint layer is stable, albeit slightly uneven across the top edge. The painting is retouched and well varnished. There do not seem to be any noticeable structural damages in the body of the work, but there are horizontal restorations running mostly above the grapes, which do catch the light in some areas. Retouches have been added in small spots throughout the lighter colors of the still life and in the darker colors of the background, addressing some thinness that has developed. The restoration is successful for the most part, and the work could be hung as is.
"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."

Michelangelo Cerquozzi was a leading member of the Bamboccianti, a group of mainly foreign artists active in Rome, who worked in the manner of Pieter van Laer (1599-1642), called il Bamboccio, producing small works focusing on trivial or low-life subjects, related to contemporary Italian street-life.  Cerquozzi's most accomplished works blend the naturalism of the bamboccianti with strong narrative and anecdotal elements. In addition to his genre subjects, or often times in combination with, Cerquozzi produced high quality and similarly naturalistic still life compositions. His technique is most often compared with Pietro Paolo Bonzi, a Roman still-life specialist who, like other painters from this time and place, was patronized by Cardinal Crescenzi (including Bartolomeo Cavarozzi, see lot 44).