oil on canvas, with an unidentified collector's red wax seal on the reverse, unframed A copy after an original painting by Titian, previously presumed lost but now identified as the work sold at Christie's, New York, 6 April 2006, lot 64.1 It is also known through numerous copies of various ages and degrees of quality, two engravings, and even as a detail in the Flemish artist David Teniers' painting of 'Leopold Wilhelm's Picture Gallery', now in the Kunsthistorisches Museum, Vienna.2 This composition is a variation on a subject that Titian painted in two other versions of the 'Mater Dolorosa', both today in the Prado Museum, Madrid – each originally paired with an 'Ecce Homo'. The other two paintings differ in pose: one Madonna raises her hands;3 the other has her hands clasped, as in the present work, but her head is positioned differently, looking upwards to the left.4 The theme of the 'Mater Dolorosa', in pendant with an 'Ecce Homo' (which depicts the figure of Christ crowned with thorns), was of northern origin but gained popularity in Spain in the 16th century. This vogue undoubtedly prompted the Emperor Charles V and later King Philip II to commission paintings of this type from Titian. 1 //www.christies.com/lotfinder/Lot/tiziano-vecellio-called-titian-pieve-di-cadore-4684720-details.aspx2 //www.khm.at/objektdb/detail/1897/3 //www.museodelprado.es/en/the-collection/art-work/the-virgin-dolorosa-with-her-hands-apart/44188485-b32c-453d-8dc3-b28d46b161a64 //www.museodelprado.es/en/the-collection/art-work/the-virgin-dolorosa-with-her-hands-joined/6caedf60-c65c-4fe1-b821-9de7b2e0b0a9

All paintings available to view at the Sotheby’s Greenford Park warehouse, 5 - 7 and 10 – 13 September (10 - 4pm), by appointment. The canvas appears to be strip lined, the paint surface is dirty, and the varnish is discoloured. There are pin prick losses associated with the network of craquelure that runs throughout, particularly visible in her face, hands and head dress. Inspection under ultraviolet light reveals retouching to a vertical damage in the background to the left, measuring 10 cm., as well as small retouchings in the background lower left, and scattered in her hands, face, head dress, and left shoulder.
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