Follower of Rogier van der Weyden

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 panel is cradled and flat. The paint layer is stable. There may be two original joins, one on the right side of the face and one on the left side of the face. The painting seems to be dirty, but in very good condition. Retouches are not visible under ultraviolet light, but there are losses in the red gown in the lower right and beneath the figure of Christ. There is a dark scuff in the baby's left thigh which is unretouched. There may be careful retouches added to define the fingers and some of the details. However, there appears to be very little retouching in the gardens in the background, in the angels in the sky or in the sky itself. If the work is cleaned, the palette would brighten noticeably, but retouches would become apparent. If the dark blemish in the leg of Christ is restored, the work could also be hung in its current state.
"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."

This composition is known in multiple variants and formats, though they all ultimately derive from the Virgin and Child pairing in Rogier van der Weyden's Saint Luke Drawing the Virgin (Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, inv. 93.153). Half-length examples, focusing solely on the tender interaction between the Virgin and Child, were taken up by period followers of Rogier including The Master of the Legend of Saint Ursula and the Master of the Magdalene Legend.