SEBASTIANO CONCA | The Madonna and Child before Carlo Borromeo, Saint Januarius, and a King (thought to be Louis IX of France)

The copper plate is flat and stable, the paint surface is clean, and the varnish only slightly discoloured. There are a few pin-prick losses scattered throughout, notably in the lower right corner. Inspection under ultraviolet light reveals scattered retouching throughout, notably above Borromeo's shoulder, in his face, and in his cassock, and in the Madonna's forehead. In overall fairly good condition.
"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 Dott. Mario Epifani for endorsing the attribution to Sebastiano Conca upon inspection of images, and for proposing a date of execution of after 1750. Dott. Epifani notes stylistic similarities with another of Conca's late paintings on copper, a Crucifixion in the collection of the Museo Diocesano, Gaeta, which is signed and dated 1764.¹ 1 Centro Storico Culturale, Sebastiano Conca (1680-1764), exh. cat., Gaeta 1981, p. 356, cat. no. 134a, reproduced p. 357.