FOLLOWER OF LEONARDO DA VINCI, 17TH CENTURY | Mona Lisa

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 work on canvas has an old European glue lining. The painting has not been recently varnished, and it is quite dull. The paint layer is noticeably dirty. However, the picture may have been copied from the original, which would have been yellowed at the time. Therefore, there may be an original glaze applied to recreate the antique feeling of the original work. It is difficult to identify retouches under ultraviolet light in many areas, as the old varnish is opaque. Although there are some slightly darker patches, many of these areas do not seem to correspond to retouches. There are a few dots of retouching in the shadowed side of the cheek on the right, and a few dots in the dark coat in the shadowed side of the sleeve in the lower right, beneath the hands, and above the elbow on the far left side. Although there may be other older retouches, the condition generally seems to be very good. The work would respond well to light cleaning and a saturating varnish, and may not need any further restoration.
"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."