Lot 178
- 178
Workshop of Lucas Cranach the Elder
Estimate
20,000 - 30,000 GBP
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Description
- Lucas, the elder Cranach
- The Virgin and Child with St. John the Baptist and two Angels
- signed with the artist's device of a serpent (with wings raised) upper centre left
- oil on panel
Provenance
Dr. Benedict & Co., Berlin;
Van Diemen Galleries, New York;
Mr. and Mrs. William Timken and bequeathed by Mrs. Timken in 1959 to;
The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York;
Their sale, New York, Sotheby's, 1 June 1990, lot 3 (as Attributed to Lucas Cranach the Elder);
Anonymous sale, New York, Sotheby's,16 May 1996, lot 21, for $55,000 (as Attributed to Lucas Cranach the Elder).
Van Diemen Galleries, New York;
Mr. and Mrs. William Timken and bequeathed by Mrs. Timken in 1959 to;
The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York;
Their sale, New York, Sotheby's, 1 June 1990, lot 3 (as Attributed to Lucas Cranach the Elder);
Anonymous sale, New York, Sotheby's,16 May 1996, lot 21, for $55,000 (as Attributed to Lucas Cranach the Elder).
Literature
K. Baetjer, European Paintings in the Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, 1980, vol. I, p. 37, reproduced vol. II, p. 297 (as Attributed to Lucas Cranach the Elder).
Condition
The painting is brighter and yellower than the catalogue illustration suggests.
The support consists of a single panel which has been shaved down and cradled to the reverse. Two extensions of 2cm. each have been applied to the vertical edges, and act as slips to fit the frame.
The paint surface appears secure and under a discoloured varnish. The details are still well-preserved, particularly the gold highlights in the hair of the figures and decoration along the edges of the curtain and the red cloak.
To the naked eye the Virgin's blue shirt appears abraded. The flesh tones of the right side of the Virgin's face, as well as the torso and areas of the face of the Infant, appear retouched.
A small surface scratch runs near the edge of John and through his hair and shirt.
Inspection under UV light reveals a thick, opaque varnish, but retouchings can be made out in the background, the putto upper left, scattered around the edges of the putto upper right, in the aforementioned scratches in John, and the aforementioned areas in the Virgin's face and Jesus. Small localised retouchings have been applied to John's face and torso, in the Virgin's hands and Christ's legs and elsewhere. Underneath the varnish further retouchings may be present.
"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. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."
"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. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."
Catalogue Note
A near copy, attributed to the Circle of Lucas Cranach the Elder, was offered Düsseldorf, Hargesheimer & Günther Kunstauktionen, 17 September 2011, lot 71.