Lot 128: Antwerp School 17th C. Madonna & Child with St. John the Baptist, Ex-Sothebys

Antwerp School, early 17th century oil on copper panel painting of Mary with the infant Christ and John the Baptist. Mary embraces Christ, who gazes at her while he stands in her lap and grasps an apple with his left hand. John the Baptist watches them at lower left and carries a banderol that reads "ECCE AGNVS DEI" (Behold the Lamb of God). Clouds part around the figural groups and light radiates from the heads of Mary and Christ. Housed in an ornate 19th century molded giltwood and composition frame. Panel: 12 1/4" H x 9 1/4" W. Framed: 24 1/4" H x 21 1/2" W. Note: This lot includes a copy of the January 1980 Sotheby Parke Bernet Important Old Master Paintings & Drawings auction catalog, with the present painting illustrated as lot 230.

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); acquired Sotheby Parke Bernet, New York: Important Old Master Paintings & Drawings, January 9th, 1980, Lot 230.

CONDITION: Flaking to darker areas of red between Mary and Christ, in Mary's forearm to right of apple, and to back of Mary's left shoulder. Plus minor, pinpoint flaking to Mary and Christ's faces, especially right side of Christ's face and surrounding sky. Scattered retouching primarily outside of figures, largest area to blue fabric at lower center, 1 1/2" W x 1" H. Scratch with loss to left of Christ's right hip, 1/4" L, plus faint scratches below, largest 1" L. Very fine craquelure throughout. Frame with abrasions plus gilt and gesso loss.