Portuguese, ca. 1500 Christ at the Column is copy after Del Piombo

Veritas, from Portugal, sells on 22 February 2017 a "Portugal, late15th early 16th century" Christ at the Column, a large panel (168 by 68 cm) estimated at 10,000 to 15,000 Euro.

It is an interesting, well painted work, but sadly it isn't late 15th century and not an original composition either.

The original is a 1518 fresco by Sebastiano del Piombo in the San Pietro in Montorio in Rome.

The work for sale is probably based on an engraving after the original, and painted in a rather archaic style. if it was really early 16th century, it would be a very early Renaissance painting for the region and would warrant the estimate. As a later (second half 16th century?) copy, of unknown origin, it is probably worth 3,000 to 4,000 Euro instead. Perhaps it is a work by Garcia Fernandes (died 1565)?

Note that a second work, clearly forming a pair with this one, is sold separately at the same auction. I'm always amazed that sellers and auctioneers are still willing to separate such pairs after they have been together for 400 years or more, but it's their prerogative of course. It has the same dimensions and estimate, but is less appealing to me. I can't find an immediate match for it, but it seems likely to be based on older paintings as well.