Giovan Battista Beinaschi

Anonymous sale, Monaco, Sotheby's, 6 December 1991, lot 242 (as Circle of Francesco del Cairo).

V. Pacelli and F. Petrucci, Giovan Battista Beinaschi, Rome 2011, pp. 300-301, cat. no. Ca17, reproduced.

The colours of the illustration are quite representative of the painting. The canvas has a relatively old relining and has been placed onto a modern stretcher. The paint surface is not excessively dirty and has not been compressed by the relining: the impasto in certain areas - the highlight on the skull, for example - is beautifully preserved. The picture was solidly painted and does not appear to have suffered from wear. The varnish is slightly uneven and only opaque in certain areas (it appears to have been partially removed in an area just to the right of the book). Inspection under ultra-violet light reveals only minor retouchings in the sky upper right; a repaired damage, now discoloured, on the Magdalene's sleeve upper left (4 x 4 cm.); strengthening near the fingertips of her right hand; a repaired damage on the book (5 x 2 cm.); and other minor scattered retoucings such as, for example, on the Magdalene's left shoulder. The painting is in good condition overall, particularly for a baroque picture, and the fresh application of paint is still visible in most parts of the picture (pentimenti, for instance, are discernible on the skull and on the Magdalene's right wrist). This lot is offered unframed.
"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."

Unrecognised at the 1991 sale, this peaceful depiction of Mary Magdalene was identified soon afterwards as the work of the Neapolitan painter Giovan Battista Beinaschi by Dr. Erich Schleier and Professor Nicola Spinosa, and was subsequently included in Pacelli and Petrucci's recent catalogue raisonné on the artist's oeuvre. These latter authors date the painting circa 1675.