Giuseppe Zocchi

The paintings are lighter in colour, less saturated and better defined than the catalogue illustrations suggest. Both canvases have been relined. Both paint surfaces are secure and clean but abraded, especially in the areas of trees and leaves, where the ground is coming through. Inspection under UV light reveals substantial retouchings. 2 restored tears can be found in the former painting, 1 horizontal upper centre and another vertical centre right, both of about 20 cms. Both paintings are offered in gilt wood frames with some paint 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."

L'attribuzione a Giuseppe Zocchi è confermata dall'esistenza del disegno preparatorio del dipinto illustrato a destra e pubblicato in: A. Tosi, Inventare la realtà, Giuseppe Zocchi e la Toscana del '700, Città del Castello 1997, pp. 264 e 268, illustrato a p. 268.
Come ricorda il professor Alessandro Tosi "Il foglio raffigurante alcuni Monaci in un bosco è un suggestivo documento delle attente meditazioni su quelle scene di monaci e stregonerie che, diffuse da Venezia e da Genova, avevano grande successo anche nel Granducato. Mentre Sebastiano Ricci già ai primi anni del secolo aveva eseguito a Firenze Le Tentazioni di Sant'Antonio (Firenze, Museo Bardini), nella quadreria del marchese Andrea Gerini figurava una «Gran veduta montuosa, con alquante Figure di Anacoreti» attribuita a Magnasco - poi identificata nel Paesaggio con monaci in preghiera di Marco Ricci (Edimburgo, National Galleries of Scotland) - dipinto ben noto a Zocchi che nella stessa quadreria lasciava uno «Stregone che opera prodigi: piccole figure, e fantasmi»".