The present painting makes a good image, but appears to be a fragment of a larger composition, although it is hard to know what the original format of the picture might have been. There are two vertical cracks in the panel, running from the upper edge and down through the face. The painting has been set into a modern, molding style engaged frame, and there is a loose area of gesso in the upper left corner that should be stabilized. The back of the original panel has had a stretcher like set of slats attached, probably to act as a kind of cradling. The surface of the picture itself has had some minor losses and some slight cracking (perhaps exacerbated by the slats on the reverse). The paint layer of the figure is quite good in parts, with a lot of detail and brushwork still intact in the hair and much of the face, and the collar. There is some restoration along a panel crack that goes to the right of the eyes down into the neck, but this is well done. The background has been re-gilt and thus the punchwork is less free than might be expected. It is possible that there is original gilt underneath this later addition. The painting retains good detail in the face and restorations have been sensitively applied.
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.

We are grateful to Dr. Laurence Kanter for suggesting an attribution of this lot to Taddeo di Bartolo on the basis of photographs.