17th-century German School, the Passion of the Christ - Antique Oil Painting

17th century

Sold by Brave Fine Art

Description

An evocative 17th-century oil on canvas depicting Christ wearing a crown of thorns and a heavy chain. He looks up towards the heavens with an expression of hope - while his eyes are laden with tears.

Throughout the centuries, ‘the Passion’, which relates to Christ’s last week on Earth, has been the subject of numerous paintings. Many were designed to hang in places of worship and intended to bring the viewer closer to Christ’s suffering. For example, Italian Renaissance artists would constantly refer to the Passion through scenes that told the various aspects of the story.

Here, the artist chooses to focus on Christ’s expression in the moments leading up to his crucifixion. His crown of thorns cuts into his flesh but his pain-filled anguish is offset with sanguine eyes and an incandescent halo.

Housed within a beautiful 19th-century continental frame.

Medium: Oil on canvas

Overall size: 10” x 13” / 25cm x 33cm

Year of creation: c. 1650

Provenance: Germany

Condition: Extensive craquelure throughout with losses but the paint layer is stable following a light restoration. Recently relined and attached to a 19th-century stretcher. Frame with some wear and losses.

Physical Dimensions

Height

43cm (16.93")

Width

35cm (13.78")

Depth

5cm (1.97")

Declaration

Brave Fine Art has dated this piece to the 17th Century.

Reference Numbers

Sellingantiques Reference

SA936721

Description

An evocative 17th-century oil on canvas depicting Christ wearing a crown of thorns and a heavy chain. He looks up towards the heavens with an expression of hope - while his eyes are laden with tears.

“

Throughout the centuries, ‘the Passion’, which relates to Christ’s last week on Earth, has been the subject of numerous paintings.

Brave Fine Art

Many were designed to hang in places of worship and intended to bring the viewer closer to Christ’s suffering. For example, Italian Renaissance artists would constantly refer to the Passion through scenes that told the various aspects of the story.

fig 1. 17th-Century German School, The Passion Of The Christ - Antique Oil Painting — fig 1. 17th-century German School, the Passion of the Christ - Antique Oil Painting

Here, the artist chooses to focus on Christ’s expression in the moments leading up to his crucifixion. His crown of thorns cuts into his flesh but his pain-filled anguish is offset with sanguine eyes and an incandescent halo.

fig 2. 17th-Century German School, The Passion Of The Christ - Antique Oil Painting — fig 2. 17th-century German School, the Passion of the Christ - Antique Oil Painting

Housed within a beautiful 19th-century continental frame.

Medium: Oil on canvas

Overall size: 10” x 13” / 25cm x 33cm

Year of creation: c. 1650

Provenance: Germany

Condition: Extensive craquelure throughout with losses but the paint layer is stable following a light restoration. Recently relined and attached to a 19th-century stretcher. Frame with some wear and losses.