Fabrizio Chiari

Presumably commissioned from the artist along with another painting of the Assumption of the Virgin by Anna Colonna, wife of Principe Taddeo Barberini, the founder of the Church of Regina Coeli, Rome (see catalogue note).

F. Titi, Studio di Pittura, Scoltura et Architettura, nelle Chiese di Roma, B. Contardi and S. Romano ed., Florence 1987, vol. 1, p. 21 ("Il Transito di S. Anna con quantità di Figure nel Quadro dell'Altare incontro è bella e diligente opera di Fabrito Chiari").

Old glue relining is firm and stable. under very dirty and discolored old varnish. the paint surface has been pressed and the pattern of the canvas weave is apparent in most areas of the painted surface. there are numerous abrasions, old retouches and fills scattered, and several old rather crudely repaired tears. among these is a large vertical one at right side, an L-shaped one in background above main grouping of figures, a horizontal one in upper background that runs through putto at center, and a repaired puncture at center in background to right of Virgin's head. some areas of paint loss here and there. examination under ultraviolet reveals scattered more recent retouches on top of the old varnish. the older repairs mentioned above do not fluoresce, but these are largely visible to the naked eye. this painting has not been attended to in a long time and will require a considerable amount of work to improve the appearance. many of the older restorations could certainly be done more skillfully. In a black wood frame with a gilt scroll pattern; some chips and nicks to frame.
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.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING CONDITION OF A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD "AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF SALE PRINTED IN THE CATALOGUE.

We are grateful to Professor Claudio Strinati for identifying this altarpiece to be a work by Fabrizio Chiari and identifiable as the one recorded formerly in the Church of Regina Coeli.  The church and attached convent were destroyed circa 1880 in order to make way for a large prison.  The works housed in the church, including other pictures by Chiari, appear to have been dispersed at that time.

Fabrizio Chiari was an artist of some note in Rome in the 17th century, although he has been somewhat overlooked by modern scholars.  He was allegedly an autodidact, though his early style certainly shows the influence of Poussin.  He was awarded a number of fresco commissions and painted the Reconciliation of Jacob and Esau while working under Pietro da Cortona on the cycle of frescoes decorating the Sala Gialla in the Palazzo del Quirinale.  Later in his career he painted a Chariot of Apollo for the ceiling of the Sala dei Specchi in the Palazzo Altieri, Rome.