BARTOLOMEO DI DAVID | Holy Family with Saint John the Baptist and Saint Catherine of Siena

Private collection, Massachusetts.

The panel consists of a single board with an arched top that has a slight vertical bow. There are two horizontal bars stabilizing the reverse. A decorative image reads well, with some minor thinning to the paint surface like on the hand of the figure at far left. Craquelure throughout with some associated loss at top center where there are two small chips. Very few cracks are on the extreme edges, with the most noticeable one runs vertically from the knee of the child to the bottom of the green robe. There is another crack at center, that runs horizontally for about 3 in. on the Virgin's cheek. What appears to be an X shaped scratch is on the neck of the figure at far left. Some small spots of retouching are visible here and there, like a small spot on the right should of the child at bottom left, and spots scattered on the chest and neck of the child at right. Inspection under UV is difficult to read, though scattered spots of retouching fluoresce, like on the cheek and neck of the virgin, and the bodies of the children. A tiny dot and thin line of retouching is on the child's face at far right, while further thin lines of retouching are scattered on the robes, like at center left. What appears to be an old repair is at center right, on the child's little finger. Offered in an elaborately carved giltwood frame with an arched top and some minor nicks.
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.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING CONDITION OF A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD "AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF SALE PRINTED IN THE CATALOGUE.

The attribution to Bartolomeo di David, a Sienese artist whose works drew inspiration from both Sodoma and Beccafumi, was first suggested by Dr. Everett Fahy. Given its distinctive shape with an arched top and rectangular bottom, this panel was probably placed at either ends of a cataletto, or funeral bier.