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 is flat and unreinforced on the reverse. The original painted reverse is still clearly visible. The painting itself is slightly dirty, and it seems that it will respond well to cleaning. There are a few isolated spots of retouching in the background, a loss in the chin and neck of the Madonna, a restoration in the waist of the child and a few spots in the forehead of the Madonna, but both the background and the figures are mostly undamaged. The gilded aura seems to be original and still in very good condition.
"This lot is offered for sale subject to Sotheby's Conditions of Business, which are available on request and printed in Sotheby's sale catalogues. The independent reports contained in this document are provided for prospective bidders' information only and without warranty by Sotheby's or the Seller."

The strong verticality of this Madonna and Child standing on a half moon bears a marked resemblance with the same figural group in Metsys' Rem Altarpiece (Munich, Alte Pinakothek).¹ This specific composition is likely based on a lost prototype by Metsys. 

Infrared reflectography (fig. 1) reveals loose, freely drawn under drawing applied to the under layer of the panel. The artist has quickly sketched the outlines of the figures contours, applꦑying simple, but essential guidelines for himself along the hands, drapery, and hair lines. 

1. see L. Silver, The Paintings of Quinten Massys, with Catalogue Raisonné. Montclair, New Jersey, 1984, plate 37.