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 panel has not been restored for some time but is nonetheless in quite healthy condition. The panel itself is un-reinforced and in healthy state. The paint layer is stable and most likely clean. There are some unrestored paint losses in the hair, around the face and in the hands of Christ. There is some old restoration visible in the book and there seems to be a pentimenti indicating a change of position of the hair and possibly the arrangement of the leaves of the pages of the book on the lower right. Quite whether all of the pictures one sees today is of the same period is a matter of discussion, but a small amount of restoration will certainly make this picture quite presentable.
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.

This striking image of the blessing Christ is of a type produced in Botticelli's studio and by his close followers, such as Jacopo de Sellaio, and which most likely was based on a cartoon or design produced by Botticelli himself.  Lightbown illustrates three different versions, all with differences in costume and other details (see Botticelli, Berkeley 1978, vol. II, pp. 140-142, C 47-49).  One, in the Detroit Institute of Art, has Christ's head inclined in the other direction, but the rest appear to rely on very much the same template, with Christ raising his right hand in benediction, his head tilted to the right.  Other versions and variations are noted, but the present panel appears to be the only one with Christ holding open the book of Revelations to reveal the symbols of the Alpha and Omega.  The variations and number of versions of the image denote both the popularity in Florence of such religious imagery, but also the latent mysticism in Botticelli's own art.