Circle of Francisco Ribalta (Spanish, 1565-1628)

Circle of Francisco Ribalta (Spanish, 1565-1628) Portrait of a knight, three-quarter-length in black, standing at a table, his right hand resting on a book oil on canvas 133 x 95cm, unframed Provenance: Christie’s, South Kensington, 11 March 1993, lot 175; Mr Evan & Mrs Patricia Steadman - Mr Steadman was the former organiser of The Grosvenor House Antiques Fair. Condition Report: The painting is executed in oil on a canvas support which has been lined. The canvas tension nis good and the picture is in plane. An old damage near the bottom of the picture has been secured through lining, the surface texture is slightly smooth compared to the original and the line of cracking in the paint surface is evident. There are numerous areas of overpaint across the surface which appear slightly glossy but are acceptable at a normal viewing distance. The varnish is clear and semi-matte.