LOT DETAILS

Materials:

oil on panel

Size Notes:

213 x 140.5 cm.; 84 x 55 in.

Edition:

Parma circa 1500 - 1569

Description:

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Markings:

The following condition report is provided by Henry Gentle who is an external specialist and not an employee of Sotheby's: Girolamo Mazzola Bedoli Altarpiece with Madonna and Child and Saints Oil on panel, in a narrow gilt wood slip with some wear The soft wood panel has two noticeable vertical fractures, running from the top to the bottom of the composition. One extends from the red awning of the Madonna's throne, down through her proper right shoulder and thigh and through the base of the throne. The second one extends from the red awning, down through her proper left hand and thigh, through St Francis' proper right hand and in to the marbled base of the throne. Both fractures have minor associated paint loss and exhibit deformation to the panel. An additional vertical fracture extends up from the bottom edge, beneath the figure of St. Francis, up through his body and head and finishes in the red window frame. Again, minor associated paint loss has occurred. The paint layer is stable and secure and many areas of the composition are in good original condition; these include the Madonna's face and drapery, the curtain behind her throne, the figure and face of St. Francis, aside from minor loss through the join, the sky upper left, where only minor restoration to the white clouds is visible, the columns and most of the marbled base of the throne; the white step has augmented thinned paint. Paint texture visible in energetic brushwork throughout the composition is well preserved. The white vestments to the Bishop's attire have been significantly strengthened along with the glove of his right hand and the scroll; the restoration has not been sympathetically or sensitively executed. The brocaded cape is well preserved although an area to the right of the shaft of the crozier and into the shadow beneath the scroll has been augmented. There has been minor loss to the oak leaves and the sky upper left, to the right of the column, and strengthening has been undertaken. These recent restorations are visible under u-v light. There is some minor strengthening to Christ's face to reduce slight loss and discolouration, this has not been sensitively carried out. A similar area beneath the feet of St. Francis has not been sympathetically reconstructed. Fine details, particularly through the figure of the Madonna and the body of Christ, are well preserved and are intact. The colours are strong and chromatic and tonal values present well.