Follower of Albrecht Dürer

This lot appears slightly less bright in the whiter parts than the catalogue image suggests. The wood panel is in stable condition, flat and supported by a recent cradling on the back. The reverse side is protected by a thin layer of gesso-type paint. The paint surface is in good condition, with faint craquelure across the surface due to age, but no flaking apparent. The colours are still bold and the upper right gold ground in well- preserved. There is one small paint loss near the lower edge towards the right hand side. Two very fine splits in the wood have both been repaired and stabilised by the cradling. There is some bitumising of the darkest pigments, detectable by touch and not distracting to the naked eye. Inspection under UV light shows two campaigns of restoration. The older consists of repairs along the shoulder of the man kneeling in the foreground. The more recent is limited to two spot retouchings, especially in the upper left corner, along the right hand fracture in the wood, and the remaining scattered cosmetic repairs. There is a milky protective varnish covering the whole picture. Overall the painting is in good condition with few repairs. The lot is sold unframed, as shown in the catalogue reproduction.
"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."

This is a copy after an engraving by Albrecht Dürer, of which a number of impressions exist, one being in the Metropolitan Museum, New York (acc. no. 64.695.22).