oil on copper

Galerías La Granja, Mexico City
Manuel Santaella, Caracas (acquired from the above, 1963)
Thence by descent to the present owner

Carlos F. Duarte, Catálogo de obras artísticas mexicanas en Venezuela, Mexico City, Instituto de Investigaciones Estéticas/Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, 1998, p. 75, no. 85, illustrated (also illustrated in color on the cover)

The copper panel is quite thick for this size of the painting, in good condition, flat and not corroded. The painting was previously restored. The paint layers are well consolidated with the copper panel. There are tiny scratches, abrasions and small areas of paint losses scattered all over the painting, one bigger loss, measuring ¼ in., is in the area of Mary's right eye. All imperfections are restored and inpainted. Some areas of the old retouches are discolored. The surface varnish is slightly dirty. The work was treated and the surface dirt was cleaned off. The old inpainting in the area of Mary's right eye and part of her forehead was removed. The surface varnish was reformed. The losses in the paint layers were filled with gesso. The abrasions, paint losses and discolored retouches were retouched. Surface was varnished. (This condition report was provided courtesy of Halina McCormack Fine Art Conservation.)
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.