Mateo Cerezo

"The following condition report has been provided by Henry Gentle, an independent restorer who is not an employee of Sotheby's. The original canvas has been wax/resin lined and is, as a consequence, quite inert. The paint layer is stable but a little raised in places. There is a vertical descending split in the canvas through the head of the Magdalene and extending down 50cm in to her hair. There is paint loss either side which has been restored. There is some minor abrasion to some of the darker passages, e.g. the shadows of the Magdalene's hair and the folds of her robe. Under Ultraviolet light augmentation to the area behind the Magdalene's head can be detected along with re-touchings to her robe. The restorations are generally excessive and clumsy and there are large areas which are in a good preserved condition. The removal of the discoloured vanish would improve the tonality. Offered in a 19th C gilt wood frame with some losses."
"This lot is offered for sale subject to Sotheby's Conditions of Business, which are available on request and printed in Sotheby's sale catalogues. The independent reports contained in this document are provided for prospective bidders' information only and without warranty by Sotheby's or the Seller."

This appears to be the only signed version, and therefore presumably the original, of a composition with which Cerezo evidently found much success, returning to it as he did on at least four further occasions. The other autograph versions of this composition are in the collection of the Duque de Hernani, Madrid; a private collection, Madrid; in the collection of the Marqués de Legarda; and offered London, Christie's, 5 July 1996, lot 84.¹

1. For the three in private collections see J.R. Buendía & I. Gutiérrez Pastor, Mateo Cerezo, Burgos 1996, pp. 161-163, nos. 70-72 respectively, all reproduced.