Lot 27: ANDREA SOLARIO | Ecce Homo

oil on panel, probably softwood

66 by 45.5 cm.; 26 by 18 in.

oil on panel, probably softwood

The following condition report is provided by Hamish Dewar who is an external specialist and not an employee of Sotheby's: Structural Condition The artist's panel is uncradled and is providing a good and stable structural support. There are various seals and scratches on the reverse of the panel. Paint Surface The paint surface has uneven and discoloured varnish layers and should respond very well to cleaning should this be required. There is some frame abrasion and rubbing around the outer edges. Inspection under ultra-violet light shows how discoloured the varnish layers have become and identifies only small, scattered retouchings, including a few small areas on Christ's cloak and perhaps some glazing in the background. The flesh tones and fine details of the painting appear very well preserved. There may be other retouchings beneath older discoloured varnish layers which are not identifiable under ultra-violet light. Summary The painting would therefore appear to be in very good and stable condition and should be transformed by cleaning and revarnishing.
"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."

K. Badt, Andrea Solario. Sein Leben und seine Werke, Leipzig 1914, p. 195 (wrongly assuming that the present painting and the Philadelpha one are likely to be the same; as a late replica of the Leipzig one); 
H. Voss, Galeriewerk der Sammlung Cremer, Dortmund, Dortmund 1914, p. 7 (as Solario);
B. Sweeny, John G. Johnson Collection. Catalogue of Italian Paintings, Philadelphia 1966, p. 74, under no. 274 (under Versions);
D. A. Brown, Andrea Solario, Milan 1987, pp. 212–13, under no. 50, and as no. 50i (under Versions of the Philadelphia picture).

M. de Somzée, Rue des Palais, Brussels;
His sale (‘Les Collections de Somzée’), Brussels, Fievez, 24 May 1904, lot 397 (as by Giovanni Antonio Boltraffio);
Geheimrat Josef Cremer, Dortmund, by 1914;
His sale, Berlin, Wertheim, 29 May 1929, lot 130 (as by Andrea Solario), when acquired by an ancestor of the present owner (by whom offered in these Rooms, 9 July 2014, lot 24, as Studio of Andrea Solario).