Bidspirit auction | 19th Century Oil on Canvas,

19th Century Oil on Canvas, signed J. Mortimer, after Pompeo Girolamo Batoni (Italian, 1708-1787), - Continental School, 18th Century, signed J. Mortimer lower left, after Pompeo Girolamo Batoni (Italian, 1708-1787), ”The Penitent Magdalene, ” oil on canvas. Depicting Mary Magdalene reclining in a rocky grotto, her hands clasped in prayer, with open book, skull, and ointment jar beside her, rendered in a dramatic chiaroscuro manner with blue drapery and illuminated flesh tones. The composition is after Batoni's celebrated Penitent Magdalene, a work formerly in the Dresden Gemeldegalerie and now lost. Housed in a substantial giltwood and ebonized frame. Accompanied by conservation documentation from Hudson + Salah Art Conservation Studios, New Orleans, Louisiana, dated 2010, identifying the artist as J. Mortimer, title as Repentant Magdalina, medium as oil on canvas, and noting the signature lower left. Documentation records cleaning, lining onto Belgian linen with reversible BEVA 371 adhesive, restretching onto the original reconditioned stretcher, filling, inpainting, and varnishing. Also accompanied by prior auction printout and frame receipt. Provenance: Ormonde Plantation, Natchez, Mississippi. Canvas: approximately 28 x 38 in. Framed: 45 in. H x 54 1/2 in. W x 4 1/2 in. D. Condition: Professionally conserved and relined in 2010 by Hudson + Salah Art Conservation Studios, New Orleans. Conservation documentation records mold neutralization to the reverse, removal of old discolored varnish and surface grime, lining to Belgian linen with reversible BEVA adhesive, restretching, filling of losses, inpainting, and varnishing. Craquelure and scattered prior surface wear visible; presents well in ornate frame. Frame with expected wear, losses, rubbing, and touch-ups.