South Netherlandish School, second quarter of the 16th century

The following condition report is provided by Henry Gentle who is an external specialist and not an employee of Sotheby's: The oak panel is cradled, the cradle allowing only minimal movement. A vertical split runs down through the Virgin's left eye, through the child's right cheek and left hand and on down to the bottom edge; there is discoloured restored paint loss along the join. The paint layer is raised but stable with pronounced parallel , diagonal ridges running through the centre of the image, as seen in raking light; restoration has been applied to reduce these. Under U-V lighting a scattering of minor retouchings can be seen across the surface. Minor thinness to the Virgin's hair and skin tones are evident along with compromised glazing to her right hand. The gilding to the Virgin's mantle and the radiating lines has been slightly worn. A discoloured varnish covers the surface and a much older discoloured layer can be seen in the shadows of the red cloak , lower right. Overall, the painting can be considered in good condition with areas of original paint and fine detail intact.
"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."

The depiction of the back of the Virgin and Child, with the two figures looking over their shoulders, is particularly rare in Western art. There are only three other examples of this type recorded in the database of the RKD, The Hague, both anonymous and dated to the same period as the present panel.