FRANCESCO CAIRO | Penitent Magdalene

The canvas appears to be loosely relined. The paint layer is stable, and the image reads well beneath an old varnish. Some areas retain good detail, such as the Magdalene's flowing golden hair. There is one thin scratch in lower center, and there appears to be a thin repair in the upper left corner, and few repairs in the shadows near the lower edge, though all of these have been well applied and attended to. Inspection under UV reveals retouching to the aforementioned repairs, as well as a small spot in her lower stomach. It also reveals some scattered spots and finely applied thin strokes of retouching here and there throughout, for example, a few spots in the upper background, some small spots in the figures' faces, some scattered strokes in the Magdalene's body and hair, some attention to the darker shadows near lower edge and around Magdalene's upraised hand. Offered in a decoratively carved giltwood 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.
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.

We are grateful to Dr. Francesco Frangi for endorsing the attribution on the basis of photographs. He dates this work to circa 1650.