Workshop of Jusepe de Ribera, called Lo Spagnoletto

Rudolf, Graf Czernin, 'Schen Gemäldegalerie, Vienna;
His sale, London, Christie's, 24 May 1963, lot 76 for 550 guineas to Hahn;
Anonymous sale, New York, Sotheby's, 10 January 1991, lot 52;
Anonymous sale, Paris, Tajan, 24 June 2004, lot 46.

K. Wilczek, Katalog der Graf Czernin 'Schen Gemäldegalerie in Wien, Vienna 1936, p. 74, no. 66;
N. Spinosa, L'Opera Completa del Ribera, Milan 1978, p. 110, no. 111b;
N. Spinosa, Ribera l'opera completa, Naples 2003, p. 302, listed under no. A170 as a workshop copy.

The canvas has an old relining which is still sound. The paint surface is generally secure and in good condition with a few very minor old scattered losses, mostly along the lower margin. Old stretcher lines are visible on each edge. The varnish layer has blanched and discoloured. Inspection under UV light reveals repairs along the old stretcher lines and 3 old damages, 1 approx 2 by 3 cm, the second 2 by 5 cm and the third 5 by 5 cm in Jacob's robes, Jacob's arm and Jacob's profile. The black background and the dark have all been strengthened but restoration is otherwise confined to scattered local retouchings and repairs. Offered in a gilt wood frame with egg and dart and leaf moldings in fair 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 composition is derived from Ribera's original in the Museo del Prado, Madrid.¹  When the present painting was sold in 1991 it was seen by Professor Leonard Slatkes who identified it as being by the same hand as an as yet unidentified artist also responsible for the Healing his Father's Blindness sold Sotheby's, New York, 1 June 1990, lot 71 and variously identified as the Master of the Annunciation to the Shepherds and Finoglia. 

The subject is taken from Genesis 27 and depicts Jacob seeking to steal his brother Esau's birthright by tricking his dying father into bestowing his last blessing on him rather than his eldest son.  Supported by his mother Jacob disguised himself in Esau's clothing and covered his arm in goat skin so the nearly blind Isaac mistook it for Esau's hirsute limb.

1. See N. Spinosa, Ribera l'opera completa, Naples 2003, p. 302, no. A170.