Benedetto Gennari

Anonymous sale, London, Sotheby's, 8 December 2011, lot 136.

The canvas has been lined, the paint surface is slightly dirty and the varnish is uneven but not too discoloured. There are small discoloured areas of retouching in the fur, in the sitter's hair, chin, cheek and beneath his nose, as well as around the edges of the canvas, where there is evidence of wear. There are also some faintly discoloured lines of retouching to old surface scratches in the background and shoulder, mainly on the left. There are very fine lines of retouching to disguise the appearance of craquelure in the sitter's face. Inspection under ultraviolet light reveals the aforementioned retouching throughout the perimeter of the canvas, as well as through the sitter's hair, and in the background.
"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. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

At the time of the 2011 sale Dottor Angelo Mazza endorsed the attribution on the basis of photographs and suggested a dating of the present portrait to Gennari's English period, but comparisons can also be made with the dated portrait of Senator Virgilio Davia (1634–1703) of 1693, painted in Bologna.¹

1. See P. Bagni, Benedetto Gennari e la bottega del Guercino, Bologna 1986, p. 132, no. 82.