Lot 33: AMBROSIUS BENSON | The Crucifixion, with scenes from the Passion beyond

oil on panel, arched top

56.7 by 40.5 cm.; 22 1/4  by 16 in.

oil on panel, arched top

The following condition report is provided by Hamish Dewar who is an external specialist and not an employee of Sotheby's: Structural Condition The panel has been cradled and this has successfully secured the vertical panel join which is approximately 16 cm in from the right edge. There is very slight blistering in some areas and localised structural consolidation would therefore be beneficial. These areas of slight blistering are very minor. Paint Surface The paint surface has very uneven and discoloured varnish layers and should be transformed by cleaning. Inspection under ultra-violet light confirms how discoloured the varnish layers have become and shows minimal spots of inpainting. There are two thin vertical lines running up from the lower horizontal edge, further small retouchings along the lower framing edge and in the lower left and lower right corners. There are only the most minimal spots of inpainting identifiable under ultra-violet light. These are on the main body of the composition and small scattered retouchings in the sky above the cross and on the upper arched edge of the panel. There is a suggestion of much earlier retouching along the vertical panel join and there may well be other retouchings beneath the old opaque varnish layers which are not identifiable under ultra-violet light. There are some tiny flecks of paint loss either side of Christ's left arm and a further small loss on the upper edge of the arched panel. Summary The painting would therefore appear to be in essentially very good condition, with the fine detail of the composition being well preserved and the painting has the potential to be transformed by cleaning.
"This lot is offered for sale subject to Sotheby's Conditions of Business, which are available on request and printed in Sotheby's sale catalogues. The independent reports contained in this document are provided for prospective bidders' information only and without warranty by Sotheby's or the Seller."

Laren, Singer Museum, Niederlandse Primitieven, 1 July – 10 September 1961 (as Ambrosius Benson and where lent by J.S.H.M. van Stolk-Carp).

With an old, damaged, undecipherable Rijksmuseum exhibition label on the reverse.

P. Koomen, Maanblad voor Beeldende Kunsten, 1932, vol. IX, 6, pp. 187–88, reproduced p. 188;
G. Marlier, Ambrosius Benson et la Peinture à Bruges au Temps de Charles-Quint, Damme 1957, pp. 95–96, 291, cat. no. 33, reproduced plate X.

With Kunsthandel St. Lucas, The Hague, 1932;
With Katz, The Hague and Dieren;
Dr. C. ten Horn, Nijmegen;
With J.H. Borghouts, Utrecht;
A. van Stolk-Carp, Wassenaar, by circa 1950, probably purchased from the above;
Thence by inheritance to the present owner.