Follower of Francesco Solimena

Anonymous sale, Milan, Sotheby's, 4 June 2003, lot 22 (as Bottega di Francesco Solimena).

The canvas has been lined, the paint surface is very dirty and the varnish is discoloured. A vertical strip of retouching, around 2 in. wide, runs the length of the canvas on the right-hand margin. There are also areas of retouching to spots of paint loss in the upper right corner and in the centre of the lower margin, the largest of which measures approx. 5 x 10 cm. Inspection under ultraviolet light reveals a handful of other areas of spot retouching, most notably to the left of Eve, but otherwise the painting is largely untouched and would respond well to cleaning.
"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."

A copy after an oft-repeated composition by Solimena, the most famous autograph version of which is part of a series of eight canvasses, all previously in the collection of Alois Thomas Raimund von Harrach, viceroy of Naples from 1728 - 1732, and still remain the collection of his descendants at the Schloss Rohrau, near Vienna.¹ Among the many studio versions and copies are two other autograph versions are recorded: one as having been in the Landesmuseum, Bonn² and the other in the Musée d'Art et d'Archéologie, in Laon, France. The present copy is nearest to the Bonn version.

1. N. Spinosa, Pittura Napoletana del Settecento, Naples 1986, p. 115, cat. no. 46, reproduced p. 205, fig. 50.
2. F. Bologna, Francesco Solimena, Naples 1958, p. 249, reproduced fig. 168. This version was sold from the collection in the Landesmuseum at Lempertz in 1935.