The Master of Marradi
The Death of Lucretia at the Banquet of Lucius Junius Brutus
Property from a Distinguished Private Collection
The Master of Marradi
active in Florence during the second half of the 15th Century
The Death of Lucretia at the Banquet of Lucius Junius Brutus
oil and tempera on panel
15 ⅞ x 22 ⅜ in.; 40.3 by 56.8 cm.
The following condition report has been provided by Matthew Hayes of Pietro Edwards Society of Art Conservation, 336 West 37th Street, Suite 1580, New York, NY 10018, 212-457-8956, imh@edwards-society.com, an independent restorer who is not an employee of Sotheby's.
The original panel has been thinned and marouflaged to a modern one; its reverse is painted, and its edges covered with narrow wooden strips.
Gilding is present throughout the painting as a decorative accent—in the garlands, textiles, and plates. This is in relatively good condition, with a slight amount of wear. Silver leaf applied for the same purpose, in the dagger, plates, and background hanging, is tarnished and rubbed.
The paint is well preserved in parts, for instance in the marbleized columns, the white tablecloth, and some of the faces and garments. There is a significant amount of retouching throughout, as in the background wall and the blue textile hanging, in the faces, hands, and garments, and to scattered losses in the foreground. The retouching has somewhat discolored. Fine cracks and tiny losses are evident, as are occasional signs of use in the form of old scratches, especially in the upper register. Some patination of the surface mutes the picture's tonality and adds a speckled character to the paint. Flaking is evident in the upper painted border.
The varnish is slightly discolored and the gloss somewhat uneven.
The frame is in relatively good state, with some mechanical damage and a few recent losses to the gilding.
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.