Lot 5: Attributed to Benozzo Gozzoli , Florence circa 1420/22 - 1497 Pistoia Salvatore Mundi tempera on panel, in an engaged frame

tempera on panel, in an engaged frame

measurements note 56.5 by 35 cm.; 22 ¼ by 13 ¾ in.

Dr. Hans Hasso von Veltheim (1885-1956), Ostrau, (according to an old seal on the reverse);
Anonymous sale, Munich, Weinmuller 10-11 June 1959, lot 707, as Francesco Squarcione;
Anonymous sale, London, Christie's 8 July 2005, lot 10, for £52,000, where acquired by the present owner.

We are grateful to Professor Miklòs Boskovits for confirming his attribution of this work to Benozzo Gozzoli on the basis of photographs. At the time of the 2005 sale (see Provenance), the attribution to Gozzoli was also independently recognized by Anchise Tempestini and tentatively confirmed by Professor Diane Cole Ahl, the latter on the basis of photographs. Prof. Ahl considers this a late work, datable circa 1485-90, while recognising that, due to the increased role of the workshop at this time, the attribution of late works to Gozzoli himself can be somewhat problematic. The present work may be compared to the so-called Calci Madonna and child,υ1 Prof. Ahl noting in particular the similarity of the palette of the two works, the linearity of the faces, the foreshortening of the hand and the comparable bejewelled collars. 1. See. D. Cole Ahl, Benozzo Gozzoli, New Haven and London 1996, pp. 209-10, no. 6, reproduced plate 269.