Giovanni Battista Salvi, called Sassoferrato

With Thos. Agnew & Sons, London (from an old label on the reverse).

In good condition overall. At some point, probably in the early to mid-20th Century, the painting was relined, a little tightly. As a result, the paint surface has been slightly flattened, but this is not too distracting in most of the composition; the flesh tones are strong and well modeled still, the drapery and viol as well. It is perhaps a bit more noticeable in the shadows of the neck and face and in the hair behind his ear. Otherwise, there is damage along all four edges, probably caused by frames in the past. This extends to about an inch into the composition on the left, right and top edges and slightly less at the bottom. It is unclear how much original paint is under this, but areas such as the bottom part of his drapery, including around the scroll of the instrument, and the extreme left edge of the billowing drapery at left, have been gone over. This does not extend into any vital part of the figure, however, and the hand and other parts still retain very much their finesse. Otherwise, a few minor scattered damages which have become slightly visible to the naked eye, such as in his wrist and in the fold of drapery lower left (these are in fact much more visible when you blow the picture up onscreen than they are in real life, where they are hardly discernable). Under UV, only some of this is visible, perhaps due to a rather matte, old varnish. A fresh varnish should make the picture “pop” quite a bit more.
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 François Macé de Lépinay for confirming this painting to be a work by Sassoferrato, from early in the artist’s career.  A related drawing, which he also believes to by the hand of Sassoferrato, is in the Royal Collection, Windsor Castle (Inv. no. 6098, black and white chalk on grey-blue paper, 329 by 272 mm.).