SWABIAN SCHOOL, LATE 15TH CENTURY | The Prophet Moses; the Prophet Isaiah

oil/gold on panel, fixed on hardboard

Anonymous sale ('The Property of a Continental Collector'), London, Christie's, 9 July 1982, lot 98 (as Circle of Ivo and Hans Strigel the Younger).

The panels are both marouflaged, flat and stable. The paint surfaces are slightly dirty and varnishes slightly discoloured, but the colours and gold backgrounds remain bright and well-preserved. The Prophet Moses: this panel appears to have split or suffered some damage along a horizontal band running through the centre of the painting through the prophet's mouth, along which lines of old discoloured retouching are visible. There are small discoloured retouchings also visible in his hat, in parts of his green tunic, and his sleeves, as well as along the upper margin. Inspection under ultraviolet light confirms these, and also reveals some pin-prick retouchings in his face and hands, and in some of the letters on the scroll. The Prophet Isaiah: this panel also appears to have split horizontally through the centre of the painting, also through the prophet's mouth, and there is visible discoloured retouching along this line and to further old fissures in the paint surface running down from it in the prophet's beard, shoulders and torso. Other discoloured retouchings are visible to the top of his hat, in his sleeve, in his green cloak and scattered in the background, with pin prick retouchings visible in his face and hands. There are also two small losses in the background upper left beside his halo. Inspection under ultraviolet light confirms all of these, along with more concentrated areas of retouching throughout the scroll. In overall fair condition. Offered in plain wood frames with velvet borders.
"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."