MASTER OF THE METROPOLITAN STILL LIFE | Still life with pomegranates, peaches, grapes, figs and squashes

The canvas has a firm relining, the paint surface is quite dirty, and the varnish is slightly discoloured. There is a degree of wear to the paint surface, most visible in the darker areas, and a bloom in the varnish has appeared in the lower left-hand corner. Inspection under ultraviolet light reveals scattered spot retouchings throughout, with denser areas in the shadows around the pumpkin left, between the pumpkin and watermelon centre, in the rocky outcrop right, and along the upper margin, particularly above the grapes right. There is retouching along all four margins, and in each corner. The majority of these retouchings appear to be in response to the aforementioned wear. In overall good condition which could be improved by cleaning and re-varnishing. Offered in a plain painted wood frame with some losses.
"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."

The attribution is due to Dottor Gianluca Bocchi. A homogeneous body of paintings was first grouped together by Raffaello Causa in 1972 around the artist's eponymous work depicting a Still life with grapes and pomegranates in the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York.¹ The as-yet anonymous artist was active in Rome in the close circle of Michelangelo Pace del Campidoglio; it has even been proposed that the works grouped under the Metropolitan Master's name are in fact works by Pace at a different stage of his career. 1. See F. Zeri, La natura morta in Italia, Milan 1989, vol. II, p. 784, reproduced fig. 921.