Giuseppe Bartolomeo Chiari

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 on canvas has been mounted onto plywood. The plywood is flat and the paint layer is stable. The old varnish is very thick, and very few restorations are visible under ultraviolet light. There is a visible old damage in the center of the left side in the red gown of the elderly woman. There is some broad restoration in the shoulder of the Madonna, a few spots in the figure of Christ, and in his white blanket. There are other broad haphazard retouches in the clouds above. However, despite the aimless restorations, the paint layer appears to be healthy under close examination. If the work were cleaned, not only would it brighten considerably, but the amount of damage would be considerably less than expected. The picture would respond very well to proper restoration.
"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."

Another version of this painting, with slight variations in the poses of the male figure at right and excluding the group of angels above, can be found in the collection at Belton House, Lincolnshire (inv. no. NT 436010.1)