ANDREA BELVEDERENAPLES 1652 - 1732ANDNICOLA VACCARONAPLES 1640 - 1709 | Allegory of sculpture

The canvas is lined, the paint surface is dirty, and the varnish is slightly discoloured. In raking light it is possible to discern vertical restored damages in the canvas possibly caused by it having been rolled in the past; these extend from the upper margin at intervals of around 1/5. The most significant of these is on the right coming down through the body of the putto and running the height of the canvas - the paint surface is slightly raised along this damage in the floral still life, and in the wings of the putto. Elsewhere the impasto paintwork, particularly on the floral still life and in the wings of the other putti, is well preserved. Inspection under ultraviolet light reveals spot retouching through the marble bust and plinth, scattered in the bodies of the 3 putti, and throughout much of the background and foreground. Further restorations and strengthenings are found in the still life on the left, in the eyes of the left-most putto and around his silhouette, and in the darks of the drapery on which the putto sits lower right. The most concentrated areas are found in the upper right corner, lower right corner, in the hair and around the form of the putto lower right, in the centre of the lower margin, and in the aforementioned vertical damages (notably in the head and shoulder upper right, and the flowers by his leg, in a line running from the centre of the upper margin down to the chin of the marble bust, and in the line running from the upper margin through the temple and the left-most putto’s wing). In overall fair 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."

Professor Nicola Spinosa, to whom we are grateful, has endorsed the attribution of the putti to the hand of Nicola Vaccaro, and the flowers to Andrea Belvedere, upon inspection of digital images.