Lot 102: 17th C. Italian School O/C Religious Painting, Mystic Marriage of St. Catherine

Italian School, 17th century oil on canvas painting depicting the Mystic Marriage of Saint Catherine of Siena, 17th c. Saint Catherine kneels to the right of the Christ child, who sits in the Virgin Mary’s lap while he places a ring on Catherine’s finger. King David, seated, plays his harp at left and Saints John the Evangelist, Paul, and Dominic stand at right. Two putti in the air above embrace as they dangle a floral wedding garland over Catherine and Christ. Housed in a giltwood frame. Sight: 38 in. H x 50 3/4 in. W. Frame: 42 in. H x 55 in. W. 

PROVENANCE: The living estate of Bennett Armstrong, Alexandria, TN, by descent from his ancestor, Bennett Hornsby Armstrong (1869-1930), who acquired it at an auction in Canada sometime between 1900-1930. According to oral history, the painting had been previously owned by Napoleon’s uncle, the French priest and diplomat, Cardinal Joseph Fesch (1763-1839).

CONDITION: Canvas has been lined. With scattered retouching throughout, primarily outside of faces and hands, largest area to the face and beard of David, 6 in x 3 in, and lower right corner, 6 in x 1 in. Repaired tear or crack with retouch to upper left corner, 4 in L. With minor loss of original canvas along upper edge at center left, 2 in x 3/16 in, plus frame abrasions and stable craquelure throughout. See UV photography. Frame with abrasions and losses.