Thursday, 2 February 2017

"17th century Descent from the Cross" seems to be earlier

Horta, from Belgium, sells on 20 February 2017 a "Flemish School, 17th century" Descent from the cross, estimated at 1,500 to 2,000 Euro.

It has what looks to be the original frame and text, which makes it extra interesting.

"O heere, in uw vijf wonden
hebben wij gratie gevonden"

"Oh lord, in your five wounds
we have found grace"

The painting looks to me as if a miniature painter suddenly was asked to worked on a larger scale (well, only 28 by 16 cm, clearly a work for private devotion), and had some trouble scaling everything. Especially the head of the Virgin is somewhat strange. But the painting overall remains a good work, even when seen up close, and should be the work of a good draughtsman (as it is more a coloured drawing than a real painting). It looks to me more like a work from the second half of the 16th century than an actual 17th century work though.

This Lamentation (the scene right after the Descent from the Cross, but they are often given the same title). reminds me of the works of Gerard David. If it really is 17th century, it is extremely archaic: most similar scenes were painted around 1570 at the latest.

I would estimate it at 3,000 Euro.

UPDATE: sold for 2,000 Euro.

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