Francesco Trevisani

The canvas appears to be unlined. The paint surface is secure and in good condition, if a little thin in the darker browns of his robe, and under a dirty old varnish. Inspection under UV light reveals some minor scattered retouchings. Offered in a composite frame in good condition.
"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 present work is a ricordo of the altarpiece commissioned in 1687 by Agnese, sister of Cardinal Flavio Chigi, for the chapel of Saint Anthony in the Church of San Francesco in San Quirico d'Orcia but which now hangs in the Opera di Maria Santissima di Vitaleta (see A. Angelini et al, Alessandro VII Chigi, il papa senese di Roma moderna, Siena 2000, pp. 497-98, cat. no. 332, reproduced). Two sketches for the altarpiece are known: one was in the Safarik collection in Rome and the other in the Lewine collection in New York (see F DiFederico, Francesco Trevisani, Washington 1977, p. 79).
A copy of the present work was sold Rome, Bloomsbury, 20 November 2008, lot 85.
We are grateful to Karin Wolfe for endorsing the attribution to Trevisani, on the basis of photographs.