Francesco de Mura

Possibly Fischetti Bardelino Collection, Naples [Inv. no. 75; un quadro di palmi 4 x 7 1/4  (105.6 by 191.4 cm.) rappresentante la Nascita, macchia del quadro che si trova nel monistero di Bethelemme, ducati 120];
Anonymous sale ("The Property of a Gentleman"), London, Christie's, April 18, 1997, lot 183;
Anonymous sale ("The Property of a Private Collector") New York, Sotheby's, January 28, 1999, lot 241;
There purchased by the present collector.

The following condition report has been provided by Simon Parkes of Simon Parkes Art Conservation, Inc. 502 East 74th St. New York, NY 212-734-3920, simonparkes@msn.com , an independent restorer who is not an employee of Sotheby's. This painting has quite recently been restored and should be hung as is. The canvas has been lined and the paint layer is stable and has been cleaned and retouched. While retouches are clearly visible under ultraviolet light which almost entirely address small specks throughout the paint layer, which are probably fly specks, there seems to be no significant structural damages or paint losses. Since these retouches have been very nicely carried out, there is a freshness and a robust quality to the paint layer which is notable. The sheep has some restoration in his back which is slightly broader than the bulk of the remaining restorations. All of these restorations are presumable necessary yet sometimes mechanical means can eliminate these small spots rather than retouching them. Nonetheless, we recommend that the picture be hung as is.
"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."

At the time of the 1997 sale (see Provenance), Dr. Gino D'Alessio confirmed this painting, on the basis of photographs, to be an autograph version of de Mura's painting for the high altar of the monastary of S. Maria di Betlemme, Naples, painted between September 1749 and August 1750.

De Mura was one of the most important artists working in 18th century Naples.  His initial artistic training was in the workshop of Domenico Viola, but in 1708 he entered the studio of Francesco Solimena, eventually becoming his master's most trusted collaborator.  Aside from a trip to Turin in the early 1740s, he filled both private and ecclesiastical commissions in and around Naples.  This Adoration of the Shepherds (as well as the completed altarpiece for the monastary of S. Maria di Betlemme) date from just before his monumental ceiling fresco of the Assumption of the Virgin for the church of the Nunziatella, Naples in 1751.