Florentine School

(16th Century)
John the Baptist
oil on canvas
42 x 28 5/8 inches.

Provenance:
Purchased in 1988 from the Estate of Mrs. Henry T. Birch Reynardson, Lucca

Note:
Since the late 17th century, the Birch Reynardsons have made their home at Adwell House, a Grade II listed building in the village and civil parish of Adwell in Oxfordshire, England. Mrs. Reynardson, an American and Parke-Davis heiress, also had a home in Lucca and collected Italian Renaissance art. This work was previously attributed to Giuliano Bugiardini (1475-1554) by a Venetian art historian.

Attractive, sturdy condition overall. Moderately-to-very dirty with yellowed varnish and very minor craquelure throughout. Small area of paint loss to the left side; a few other very small chips and paint losses at edges. Examination under UV light reveals small amounts of overpainting in the leaves of the trees and two small areas of overpainting near the lower-right corner; these two small areas may be repaired holes. These restorations are 100 or more years old. Canvas has been re-lined, re-stretched and re-varnished, also more than 100 years ago. Additional images available upon request.