Ecce Homo, Flemish master of the 1466th century, circle of Quentin Metsys (Louven, 1530 – Antwerp, XNUMX)

Flemish master of the 16th century
Circle of Quentin Metsys (Louven, 1466 – Antwerp, 1530)

Ecce Homo

oil on panel (34 x 23 cm – with non-coeval 47th century frame 37 x XNUMX cm)

Important painting on panel, depicting the intense face of the suffering Christ crowned with thorns, in the more traditional iconography of the Ecce Homo, one of the most representative Christian depictions of ancient painting, which saw the Flemish painters emerge for intensity and dramatic realism.

In fact, the painting reveals typological and formal characteristics derived from the sixteenth-century Northern European tradition, showing particular affinities with the works of the Flemish Quentin Massys (or Metsijs), founder of the Antwerp School and among the greatest Flemish interpreters of this subject;

Among the many works we can mention his Ecce Homo which dates back to 1516 and is currently preserved at the Musée des Beaux-Arts de Dunkerque (see in detail)
*https://collections.musees-dunkerque.eu/fr/notice/ba-p-190-le-christ-cb75e188-ada2-41df-b588-77a0ed8a790d
Musée des Beaux-Arts de Dunkirk

Compared to this model, the work in question exhibits a more robust workmanship and denser mixtures of color which in our opinion point towards a rather late dating of the 16th century.

Christ, whose figure emerges against a dark background, is depicted with his head framed by a luminous reflection, on which the crown of intertwined thorns is placed. His gaze is dull with his eyes half-closed, red, in an attitude of resignation and disfigured by pain, marked by tears and drops of blood.

Important in this painting is the study of the expression and gaze of Christ, with his eyes turned downwards, as a sign of pain, full of a pathos capable of conveying to the spectator the suffering of this episode of the Passion.

Ecce Homo is the evangelical episode during which Jesus, awaiting his condemnation, after the flagellation, is presented to the people by Pontius Pilate, then Roman governor of Judea. The expression literally means 'Behold the Man', and was the phrase pronounced by Pilate to designate the suffering of Jesus scourged and crowned with thorns.

The face suggests that the author certainly carefully studied the works of other artists for physiognomy, i.e. the discipline that tried to study the character of people based on their physical appearance, and whether there were indeed any relationships between appearance and character .

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:

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

We take care of and organize the transport of the purchased works, both for Italy and abroad, through professional and insured carriers. It is also possible to see the painting in the gallery in Riva del Garda, we will be happy to welcome you to show you our collection of works.

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