Francesco Bissolo

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 has been restored, but the restorations could be slightly improved. The wooden panel is unreinforced, but a wooden framework has been glued to the reverse in order to stabilize the curve running from right to left. There are five vertical cracks and breaks in the panel, all of which run through the center of the torso or head of Christ. Each of these cracks has attracted a small amount of restoration, which is visible under ultraviolet light and to the naked eye. There are also a few small retouches in the hand in the lower right and to the left of this hand. No other restorations are visible under ultraviolet light, except on the right edge of the orb against the crimson gown of Christ. There may be retouches beneath an older varnish which do not show under ultraviolet light. Despite the curve and cracks to the panel, the condition is quite good.
"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."

We are grateful to Mauro Lucco for endorsing an attribution to Francesco Bissolo, on the basis of photographs.  He dates it to the second decade of the 16th century.