After Guido Reni

oil on canvas

The canvas is wax lined and tightly pressed. An elaborate image reads well with the colors well preserved, especially on the blue of the armor. There appears to be a thin line of retouching right below the arm that holds the knife. Another thin line of retouching runs horizontally from the archangel's foot at left to the subject's face at right. These lines fluoresce unevenly under the inspection of UV possibly due to a thick varnish, although there appears to be some spots of retouching here and there. For example, on the Saint Michael's red robe right beneath the knife, and two small spots right above and below his hand at right. The painting can hang in its present condition and is offered in an intricately carved gilded frame.
The lot is sold in the condition it is in at the time of sale. The condition report is provided to assist you with assessing the condition of the lot and is for guidance only. Any reference to condition in the condition report for the lot does not amount to a full description of condition. The images of the lot form part of the condition report for the lot provided by Sotheby's. Certain images of the lot provided online may not accurately reflect the actual condition of the lot. In particular, the online images may represent colours and shades which are different to the lot's actual colour and shades. The condition report for the lot may make reference to particular imperfections of the lot but you should note that the lot may have other faults not expressly referred to in the condition report for the lot or shown in the online images of the lot. The condition report may not refer to all faults, restoration, alteration or adaptation because Sotheby's is not a professional conservator or restorer but rather the condition report is a statement of opinion genuinely held by Sotheby's. For that reason, Sotheby's condition report is not an alternative to taking your own professional advice regarding the condition of the lot.

This painting is a replica of a work Guido Reni did in 1635 for Santa Maria della Concezione, Rome.¹

In both compositions Saint Michael wears an armor and holds a knife on his right and a chain on his left hand. He is depicted as a strong warrior fighting against Lucifer. Through this representation of the archangel, who keeps his foot firmly above the head of Lucifer, these works reveal the final victory of good versus evil.

1. See D.S. Pepper, 'Guido Reni', New York 1984, p. 272, under no. 154, reproduced plate 180.