An Alonso Cano (?) from the same collection as the potential Caravaggio (?)
April 28 2021
Posted by Adam Busiakiewicz:
The Spanish Newspaper El País have published an article speculating whether an unattributed painting by Alonso Cano (1601-1667) was an additional 'missed' work sold from the Pérez de Castro collection this month. Notably, the work was sold by the same family who consigned the potential Caravaggio up for auction earlier in April. Unlike the potential Caravaggio, this painting of Saint Francis of Assisi (catalogued as 'Spanish School') was not pulled from the sale and eventually made €12,000 over its estimate of €1,100. The article claims that both works appear in inventory of goods of the diplomat and politician Pérez de Castro (1769-1849). The painting is currently awaiting restoration.
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An interesting story and result but it all feels like a rather premature piece of media speculation to me. It would have been better if they had waited for the results of conservation and the support of a credible Alonso Cano expert before going to print. Sheer optimism isn't always enough, as many a dabbler in sleepers has discovered.
