Italian School, first half of the 17th Century

The subject is painted on two sheets of paper, a large sheet on which most of the composition is shown, and a narrow strip at the top, perhaps added so the artist could include the top of the halo. The paper has buckled in places where it was not firmly affixed to the panel. There are some vertical splits in the paper along cracks in the panel. The most noticeable runs down from the figure's forehead, along the right side of his nose and into the chin. This and the other splits are clearly visible in the illustration. A test clean shows what the work might look like if it were restored.
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.
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This direct and touching depiction of a monk appears to be part of a group of such portraits completed by an as yet unidentified artist working in Italy in the 17th century.  They were all executed in oil on paper and seem to depict real individuals, although it is unclear whether they were intended as portraits or as studies for a larger work.  Three other such heads have come on the market in recent years:  see New York, Sotheby's, 25 January 2008, lots 294 and 295 and New York, Sotheby's, 29 January 2009, lot 157.