Italian school (XVIII) - Cristo e l’adultera

Italian School of the 18th Century

“Christ and the Adulteress”

Oil on canvas
Measurements: 94 × 76 cm
With frame: 107 × 86 cm approx

Description

The painting depicts the Evangelical episode of Christ and the adulteress. At the center of the composition, Christ, kneeling, traces with his index finger several marks on the floor, according to the account in the Gospel of John. In front of him is represented the young adulteress, richly dressed, accompanied by a male figure in orientalist attire; behind Christ gather the onlookers and accusers, while a red-clad figure closes the scene on the left.

The composition is arranged in a theatrical manner, with figures distributed on different planes and set within an architectural backdrop opening onto a wooded landscape and a sky crossed by clouds. Particular attention is paid to the rendering of the garments, especially the adulteress’s dress, characterized by wide drapery and warm tones, ochre and brown-gold.

The palette, dominated by browns, deep greens, reds, and earth tones, together with the scenographic construction and the typology of the figures, appears coherent with a late Baroque/18th-century Italian production.

Frame

Carved and gilded wooden frame, characterized by a wide vertical-grooved band, an inner edge decorated with vegetal motifs, and an outer border with an interlaced pattern. The gilding shows widespread abrasions, wear, small losses, and signs of use, particularly evident along the edges and the more prominent parts.

The frame is presumably not original to the painting and is from a later period; it should be regarded as an accessory element of the work.

Condition Report

The painting is in a fair general state of conservation considering its age, with evident prior conservation interventions.

From the reverse, the canvas appears lined/re-lined, with small patches of reinforcement applied on the back, attributable to previous interventions on tears or lacunae of the support. The wooden frame appears to be of a later period than the canvas.

The painterly surface shows widespread, irregular cracking consistent with aging materials, most noticeable in the darker areas. Abrasions, small losses, and discontinuities in the paint surface are also observable, as well as areas that, from photographs, appear to have undergone retouchings and previous restorations.

The superficial varnish appears uneven and partly altered, with variable gloss and reflections particularly evident in close-up photographs. Some areas seem to exhibit surface deposits and a general yellowing of the varnish that tends to compress color contrasts.

The work has undergone conservation and restoration work in the past. A direct inspection by a qualified restorer is recommended to verify the adhesion of the paint film, the extent of the inpaintings, and the condition of the lining.

Ideal for collecting and investment

- The present frame is included with the sale of the work as a complimentary addition. Any transport damage related solely to the frame cannot be subject to refund or dispute.

Photographic note: Some images of the work were professionally taken with artificial lighting (studio spotlight) to clearly highlight the painting’s features, material, chromaticity, and conservation status. Color perception and brightness may therefore vary slightly from viewing the work under natural or ambient light.

With valid provenance and in compliance with the law — Expertise

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