Bartolomeo Biscaino

The painting is yellower and warmer in tone than the catalogue illustration suggests. This very large canvas has a modern relining which has not flattened the paint surface and which appears overall in good condition structurally. The impasto is very well preserved in areas and the brushstrokes are still vibrant but the darker tones have become sunken and in many areas have lost their definition. The areas which are particularly well preserved include the fleshtones, highlights such as the hair in the clothes of the woman centre right, in the armour and in the folds of all the drapery. The darker tones which have become sunken include the shirt of the girl centre left and the torso of the man above her and Solomon's shirt. The curtain behind Solomon is better preserved but the background has lost definition. Inspection under UV light reveals patches of retouching in the background, in the curtain behind Solomon and in his shirt, in the darker tones in the lower section of the armoured man centre right, in the shirt of the woman lower centre, and in the right hand of the man centre left. The dog lower left is well preserved in the lighter tones but has lost definition in the darker tones. Offered in a later elaborately carved and gilt wood frame 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."

Si ringrazia la Dott.ssa Anna Orlando per aver confermato, a seguito della visione dell'opera, l'attribuzione del dipinto al pittore e incisore genovese Bartolomeo Biscaino. Dotato allievo di Valerio Castello, seppe ereditarne la complessità compositiva e la pennellata sciolta e mobile. Il suo iter fu breve e intenso e non potè durare più di un decennio. L'artista morì, infatti, di peste a soli ventotto anni, nel 1657.