Attributed to Benedetto Luti (Italian, 1666-1724)

Christ in the House of Simon the Pharisee
oil on canvas
38 x 28.5cm

Acquired at William Leacroft sale, Burgage House, Southwell, 1860s,
Ogston Hall, Derbyshire,
Collection of the late Mr Gladwyn Turbutt (1927-2025)

Benedetto Luti first painted the subject Christ in the House of Simon the Pharisee as a pendant to God cursing Cain for which he had won the prize at the Accademia di San Luca, Rome, in 1691. In the 18th century, both works entered the collection of Viscount Scarsdale at Kedleston Hall where they remain today. Luti executed number of smaller variants of Christ in the House of Simon the Pharisee, including one on copper in the Accademia di San Luca, dated 1707, and a version on canvas in a feigned oval (sold Christie's, London, 7th July 2004, lot 101). The sensitive handling and soft tonality of the present painting are indicative that it is quite possibly another version by the artist deriving from the large Kedleston canvas (NT 108851).

Condition Report

The painting is executed in oil on a linen support which appears to be unlined, although the tacking edges were not be examined out of the frame. The painting has some minor undulations and stretcher bar marks following the lines of the wooden support behind, all minimal and expected of an unlined painting. The paint layers have a network of age cracks, some are slightly lifted but all appear stable. There are a few localised areas of retouching across the surface, mainly covering cracks and light abrasion. The overpaint has slightly darkened overtime. The varnish is slightly milky but even and glossy.
Framed 63 x 54cm