Paolo Monaldi

With Fabio Massimo Megna, Rome;
From whom acquired in 2006.

Overall the painting is in a lovely state. The canvas has an old glue relining which is firm and stable. The paint surface is in good condition and clean beneath a clear, fresh varnish. Inspection under ultraviolet reveals scattered minor cosmetic retouches here and there and a little more retouching applied to the craquelure pattern, particularly concentrated in the sky surrounding the tower. the painting requires no further work and is ready to hang in its present state.
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.

The Sedia del Diavolo, also known as the Tomba di Elio Callistio, is a Roman tomb on the Via Nomentana. By the seventeenth century it lay in ruin and a large part had collapsed, giving the edifice a curious chair-shape appearance, hence its name in Italian. The city had not yet extended as far as the tomb so this characteristic scene by Monaldi, which shows peasants reveling nearby, is probably a realistic depiction of how the locals made use of the immediate environs of the tomb.