School of Jacopo da Ponte Bassano (Italian, c. 1510-1592) Return of the Prodigal Son

Description:

School of Jacopo da Ponte Bassano (Italian, c. 1510-1592)

Return of the Prodigal Son
Unsigned, inscribed "BASSANO" on a gummed label from the Museum of Fine Arts,
Boston, on the stretcher.
Oil on canvas, 43 3/4 x 79 in. (111.0 x 200.5 cm),framed.
Condition: Patch reinforcement, retouch, blistering, craquelure, varnish inconsistencies, surface grime.
Estimate $3,000-5,000

Hanging tag from T.F. Welch Co, Interior Decorators, Boston, affixed to the stretcher.

The weave of the canvas is somewhat rough and its texture is evident through the paint layers. Craquelure overall. Craquelure with pronounced shrinking on the red cloak. Craquelure with blistering and alligatoring primarily to the areas of darkest pigment, including in the trees to the upper right (which also show a higher gloss varnish),the page's jacket in the l.l., the robe of the man in the red cloak, and the folds of the father's robes. Scattered paint losses by the figure in the window in the u.l. quadrant, also at the l.l. edge, and minor losses scattered throughout.

There are two patch reinforcements, each measuring about 2 x 1 1/2 inches, located along the bottom of the canvas just above the stretcher bar and corresponding to small areas of retouch on the front, in the father's robe and above the heel of the kneeling son. There is no evidence of major tears, and the retouch appears old. There is retouch to fill areas of craquelure, and some retouch around the outside of the figures, along the edge of the red cloak, and behind the head of the white horse.


The absence of a condition statement does not imply that the lot is in perfect condition or completely free from wear and tear, imperfections or the effects of aging. Condition requests can be obtained via email (lot inquiry button) or by telephone to the appropriate gallery location (Boston/617.350.5400 or Marlborough/508.970.3000). Any condition statement given, as a courtesy to a client, is only an opinion and should not be treated as a statement of fact. Skinner Inc. shall have no responsibility for any error or omission.

Keywords