Christ Carrying the Cross, Anthony van Dyck (Antwerp 1599 – London 1641) workshop

Anthoon van Dyck (Antwerp 1599 – London 1641) workshop – Christ Carrying the Cross – XNUMXth century

Oil on canvas (120 x 94 cm. – in frame 140 x 112 cm.)

Full details of the work (click HERE)

This remarkable canvas, depicting Christ Carrying the Cross, possesses the stylistic canons that distinguish the refined Flemish production of the early seventeenth century, and can in particular be traced back to the workshop of Anthony van Dyck (Antwerp 1599 – London 1641), one of the most influential and celebrated painters of the Flemish Baroque.

The moment depicted is one of the most intense of the Passion, when Christ, after having suffered the mockery and torture of his tormentors, is loaded with the weight of the cross and sets out on the climb to Calvary, where he will find death.

Although this is an iconographic formula that traditionally identifies a dramatic moment, which focuses attention on the sufferings of Christ, we see him here depicted without the slightest sign of the tortures he suffered and without the crown of thorns on his head. The exceptions are the marks of the nails on his hands, which foretell the fate he will have to face, without however dwelling on it excessively.

His body, with its perfect forms, appears strong and healthy, and does not give way to the weight of the cross, while on his face we see a thoughtful but very serene expression, and the image is so composed that one almost forgets its movement.

The style of the painting is beautiful and, in perfect harmony with Baroque art, it is characterised by rich tones, the deep red drape is the perfect example, and a dramatic use of light and shadow that extrapolates the pathos of the moment.

The painting takes up, albeit with modifications, the model of Christ holding the cross created by Anton Van Dyck, now preserved in Genoa at the Strada Nuova Museums (Imm.1. in details – https://www.museidigenova.it/it/cristo-portacroce)
This painting on wood completed a series of the Twelve Apostles, once present in the Serra picture gallery in Genoa, currently divided among various collections around the world. An early work, dating back to Van Dyck's period of activity prior to his arrival in Genoa, it should be placed in relation to a similar subject by Rubens (Imm.2 - in details - https://catalogo.fondazionezeri.unibo.it/scheda/opera/101477/). In fact, the influence of the older master is also evident in the style.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:

The painting is sold complete with a pleasant frame and is accompanied by a certificate of authenticity and descriptive iconographic card.

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