Giuseppe Bonito

Madrid, Galería Caylus, El Siglo de Caylus, June - July 2007, no. 9;
Naples, Museo Duca di Martina, Cio´Bi´in Floridiana: Quando Cioccolata e Birra diventano arte, 22 October 2010 - 16 January 2011, no 12.

L. Ambrosio, Cio´Bi´in Floridiana: Quando Cioccolata e Birra diventano arte, Naples 2010, p. 42, cat. no 12.

The canvas has been relined. The painting has recently been been cleaned and restored and is in very good overall condition. Inspection under ultra violet light reveals a repaired 2.5 cm damage on the bridge of the girl's nose, a larger repaired 8.5 cm tear on the upper right margin and another of 5.5. cm in the lower part of the dress. Other restoration is limited to purely local and minor spot retouchings, chielfy along the lower margin. The restoration has been well done and is not obtrusive and the picture will not require further attention. Offered with a modern gilt wood frame with acanthus leaf decoration in very 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 Infanta María Josefa de Borbón was the daughter of Carlos de Borbón (1716-1788), later Carlos III of Spain, and María Amalia of Saxony (1724-1760). The portrait was painted in Naples circa 1758-59 by Giuseppe Bonito, a favourite at the court of King Carlos who, in 1748, had executed a series of nine paintings of the king's children, all of which are today in the Museo del Prado, Madrid. The pair to this portrait, depicting María Josefa's younger sister María Luisa (1745-1792), was sold in these Rooms, 22 April 2009, lot 81, for £50,000.