The Communion of the Virgin, Domenico Piola

Property from the Estate of Nelson Shanks
Domenico Piola
1627 - 1703
The Communion of the Virgin

oil on canvas
canvas: 25¼by 17⅛ in.; 64.1 by 43.5 cm.
framed: 31⅝ by 24 in.; 80.3 by 61 cm.

Condition Report:
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 work is restored and should be hung in its current state. The painting seems to be clean, varnished, and retouched. The painting is stretched on a stretcher that can be mechanically expanded. The canvas has been lined using wax as an adhesive, which could be easily reversed if necessary. The paint layer shows fairly consistent weakness throughout, especially within and above the putti. The face of the female figure next to Christ is noticeably weak and has received a few restorations. There are restorations along the bottom edge and in the steps beneath the central group of figures. There are a few retouches in the darker colors of the two angels in the lower right. The upper right quadrant is nicely preserved. All of the restorations are carefully applied, and there would be no advantage to reexamining the retouches. The work should be hung as is.