Anonymous sale, London, Christie's, February 6, 1953, lot 111 (as Venusti) for 9 gns. to Cooke;
Anonymous sale, New York, Christie's, October 7, 1993, lot 116 (as Circle of Venusti), 🅘where purchased by the present collector.

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 two horizontal battens on the reverse, one at the top and one at the bottom. The panel is slightly curved from left to right. The paint layer is stable and has been fairly recently cleaned and restored. The restorations are visible under ultraviolet light and address small, pin prick- sized specks of loss, in the lighter colors particularly and more consistently in the upper left corner. These restorations are extremely concise and even though they are quite numerous in some places, the picture looks well and should be hung as is.
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.

Although traditionally ascirbed to Marcello Venusti or his circle, undoubtedly due to the superficial Michelangelism of the figure of Christ, the present panel would appear to be North Italian rather than Roman.  A number of suggestions have been put forward, including that the painting might be Florentine, but the most recent hypothesis is that it is Lombard, by a follower of the Campi family.