Elisabetta Sirani

Anonymous sale, New York, Sotheby's, 15 January 1993, lot 41;
There purchased by the present owner.

Northampton, Smith College Museum of Art, Baroque Painters in Italy, 17 November 1989-18 February 1990.

A. Modestini, Elisabetta Sirani: Una virtuosa del Seicento bolognese, Bologna 2004, pp. 60-61, reproduced.

This picture is painted on canvas which has been laid on to a composite board. Overall the condition is quite beautiful, with only the tiniest of retouches visible under a rather milky varnish. Later over paint over the signature of the painting has recently been removed, revealing a more complete signature and date. Under UV the area around this cleaning test and paint removal is visible. Were the current varnish to be replaced the painting could be hung in its current condition. In a carved and painted wood 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.

A painting of an Infant Saint John the Baptist is recorded in Sirani's ledgers for the year 1660; it was painted for Senator Pietramellera to serve as a pendant for an Infant Christ which she had painted the year prior (see C. Cesare Malvasia, Felsina Pittrice: Vite dei Pittori Bolognesi, 1841, vol. II, 1980 edition, p. 395). Another painting of the same subject but of a different composition was painted in 1644 for a "Cavalier Fiorentino", and Modestini (see Literature), lists at least three further works depicting the Young Saint John the Baptist, one in the Daniele Lucchese-Salati collection; another in the Sir John Pope-Hennessy collection; and a third in a private Bolognese collection.