Attributed to Luis de Morales

The following condition report has been provided by Simon Parkes of Simon Parkes Art Conservation, Inc. 502 East 74th St. New York, NY 212-734-3920, simonparkes@msn.com, an independent restorer who is not an employee of Sotheby's. This work is not clean and has visible restorations, but the panel is flat and the paint layer is stable. From a visual appraisal, there is certainly good reason to be encouraged about the condition. There are many visible remnants of old dirt still clinging to the paint layer in the figure of Christ, in his hands, and particularly in the garments being held by the other figure. It can be assumed that considerable dirt remains in the beards of both figures and elsewhere. Given the fact that there seems to be no wholesale restoration, except to one damage in Christ's right breast, it is worth considering cleaning this work in order to reveal more of the original paint layer. The drips of blood on Christ's forehead, which are so often abraded in other pictures of this subject, are in beautiful state. Although there may be some thinness in the beards and in the darker colors if the picture is cleaned, it is the least one can expect.
"This lot is offered for sale subject to Sotheby's Conditions of Business, which are available on request and printed in Sotheby's sale catalogues. The independent reports contained in this document are provided for prospective bidders' information only and without warranty by Sotheby's or the Seller."