Scuola toscana, circa 1500

The painting is warmer in tone than the catalogue illustration suggests. The flat panel support is cradled to the reverse and the paint surface is dirty and under a yellowed varnish. The paint surface appears somewhat flat and abraded and has lost its definition in areas. Old discoloured retouchings can be made out along the craquelure and under several layers of varnish. These are quite extensive but localised, for example in the sky and in the background. Inspection under UV light points to some cracks in the paint surface and more recent retouchings: these can be found in horizontal strips in the Madonna's bluse cloak, in her red tunic and in the background upper right, as well as other localised retouchings for example in the face and neck of the Baptist. Generally less intervention has been applied to the faces. Offered in a later carved and gilt wood frame in good condition with minor chips.
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