Follower of Francesco Ruschi

The canvas has been sensitively lined, the paint surface is dirty and the varnish is uneven and discoloured. There are scattered retouchings visible to the naked eye, which have discoloured, throughout - some of these run along the vertical canvas seam through the centre of the painting. Inspection under ultraviolet light confirms these scattered retouchings, most significantly in the outstretched hand and sleeve of the turbaned figure, and in the white sleeve of Hagar. The painting would benefit from cleaning and is in overall good condition. Offered in a carved and gilt wood frame with a few losses.
"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 composition is known in three versions, of which two are generally considered to be autograph: the painting in the collection of Bob Jones University, Greenville, South Carolina, dated to the early 1630s,¹ and that in the Museo Civico, Treviso.² An anonymous copy is published as in a private collection, Milan.³

1. Inv. no. 103.1; 139.7 x 190.5 cm.; see S. Pepper, Bob Jones University Collection of Religious Art, Greenville 1984, pp. 102-03, cat. no. 103.1, reproduced p. 265, fig. 103.1. 
2. Inv. no. P 153; 145 x 191 cm.; see R. Pallucchini, La Pittura Veneziana del Seicento, Milan 1981, vol. I, pp. 166-67, reproduced vol. II, p. 649, fig. 489.
3. 72 x 100 cm.; see E. Safarik, 'Francesco Ruschi', in Römisches Jahrbuch für Kunstgeschichte, vol. 16, 1976, p. 330, cat. no. 10.