Lot 118: Italian School 16th C. Madonna and Child w/ Saint John the Baptist

Italo-Byzantine tempera and gold on panel painting of the Madonna and infant Christ with John the Baptist, 16th century. Christ, who reclines and looks toward heaven, wears red coral beads and grasps a goldfinch that emerges symbolically from Mary's torso while John stands behind them at left. Punched text to Mary's halo reads "AVE GRATIA PLENA" (Hail Full of Grace) while partially visible text from the Marian antiphon Salve Regina wraps around the upper, right, and left edges and reads "SALVE REGINA (HAIL, HOLY QUEEN) / MATER MISERIC[ORDIAE] (MOTHER OF MERCY) / [VITA DULCEDO ET] SPES" (LIFE, SWEETNESS, AND HOPE). With metal plate affixed to back of frame that reads: W. DE F. THOMSON / 231 MARLBOROUGH STREET / BOSTON. Housed in a later giltwood frame. Panel: 17 1/2" H x 15" W. Framed: 21" H x 18 1/2" W. Note: The word "Mater" as seen in the present painting was added to the Salve Regina in the 16th century.

PROVENANCE: The collection of Alex and Cristina Ionescu, South Carolina, by descent from his father, the artist, conservator, and collector Vlaicu Ionescu of New York (1922-2001); ex-Collection of William de Forest Thomson, Boston.

CONDITION: Panel bisected by repaired horizontal split that runs above the head of the goldfinch with retouching along split. A crack without retouch bisects panel just below split. Scattered retouching throughout, especially to faces of figures and body of Christ. See U/V photography. With craquelure throughout plus extensive worm holes visible en verso, several visible en recto. Frame with minor abrasions and losses.