Sano di Pietro
Nativity
Property from a Distinguished Private Collection
Sano di Pietro
Siena 1405-1481
Nativity
tempera and gold ground on panel
panel: 20 5/8 by 15 7/8 in.; 52.4 by 40.3 cm.
framed: 23 3/8 by 18 3/4 in.; 59.4 by 47.6 cm.
The following condition report has been provided by Karen Thomas of Thomas Art Conservation LLC., 119 West 23rd Street, Suite 400, New York, NY 10011, 212-564-4024, info@thomasartconservation.com, an independent restorer who is not an employee of Sotheby's.
The panel preserves its original thickness, edges, and coating on the reverse. It has a slight convex curvature.
There is wear to the gilding. That of the haloes has been removed and the bole abraded. Both the glory around the Child and the angels' wings are likewise worn.
The paint film is in relatively good condition, especially the flesh and lighter passages. There is some wear to the background, especially to the darkened copper-green glazes and in the red lake glazes. A few scattered retouches compensate for small areas of damage. Wear is also evident in the mordant-gilt ornament of the clothes and the light that bears the dove.
The varnish is thin, clear, and even, with a moderate gloss.
The frame is likely original but, once engaged, has been adapted to be removable. It displays slight wear and mechanical damage.
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.
By whom sold, London, Sotheby's, 26 February 1958, lot 30;
Fielding Lewis Marshall, London;
By whom sold, London, Bonham's, 28 March 1974;
With Colnaghi, London, by 1978;
Barbara Piasecka Johnson, by 1988;
Anonymous sale ("The Property of Private Collector"), New York, Christie's, 31 January 1997, lot 127;
With Calypso Paintings, Ltd.;
From whom acquired, 2002.
K. Christiansen, in Painting in Renaissance Siena 1420-1500, exhibition catalogue, New York 1988, pp. 166-167, cat. no. 25, reproduced;
A.S. Labuda, Opus Sacrum, exhibition catalogue, Warsaw 1990, pp. 62-65, cat. no. 8;
P. Torriti, La Pinacoteca Nazionale di Siena. I dipinti dal XII al XV secolo, 3rd edition, Genoa 1990, p. 201;
A. Galli, in The Alana Collection: Italian Paintings from the 13th to 15th Century, M. Boskovits (ed.), Florence 2009, pp. 184-186, cat. no. 32, reproduced.
New York, The Metropolitan Museum of Art, Painting in Renaissance Siena 1420-1500, 20 December 1988 - 19 March 1989, no. 25;
Warsaw, Royal Castle, Opus Sacrum, 10 April - 23 September 1990, no. 8.