Franco-Flemish School, Mid-16th century

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 may have been restored in the last 50 years. The lining is well supporting the paint layer, and the retouches seem to be well matched. Identifying retouches under ultraviolet light is not possible in this case. Although there is some weakness to some of the glazes in the extensive landscape and throughout the animals and details in the foreground, the condition is quite robust. The condition seems to be similarly good in much of the figure. There is some weakness in her right arm that has been addressed with retouching, but it seems that her head, neck, the foliage behind her and the violin are healthy. The sky however does seem to have received quite numerous retouches, but these are carefully applied and should remain.
"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."

While the author of this panel remains anonymous, it is clear this artist was familiar with the developments in oil painting and perspective in Northern Europe during the 16^th century. The monumental figure of Music unites the elements of Flemish and Italian mannerism in her sculpted and elongated anatomy, a style commonly associated with the later artists of the School of Fontainebleau. The unorthodox composition also reflects this regional style in its curious use of space, as Music dominates the left half of the composition while the right half features a crowded and panoramic landscape that ultimately derives from Patinir.