Italian school (XVII) - Cristo deriso

Christ Mocked, Italian XVIIth century school, oil on slate.

Devotional painting depicting Christ Mocked, executed on a slate panel and attributable, in terms of composition, to the famous Christ Mocked by Annibale Carracci, housed at the National Gallery of Bologna and dated to about 1598–1600.

The work presented here, however, does not constitute a faithful copy of Carracci's painting, but shows several variants in the arrangement of the figures, in the tilt and expression of Christ's face, in the gestures and drapery. For this reason it is more correct to consider it a derivative with variations from the model of Annibale Carracci, without direct attribution to the master or his workshop.

Particularly interesting is the slate support, used in Italian painting between the fifteenth and seventeenth centuries especially for small-format works, religious subjects and compositions characterized by strong chiaroscuro contrasts. The naturally dark background of the stone indeed contributes to the intense atmosphere of the scene.

The work is offered as Italian School of the XVII century, on the basis of stylistic characteristics, technique and support. The dating is of historical-stylistic character and is not accompanied by scientific analyses of the pigments.

Technique: oil on slate.
Dimensions of the work: about 18 × 22 cm.
Signature: unsigned.
Frame: present and of a later period than the painting.
Provenance: private collection

The work shows conditions consistent with the attributed age, with patina, very dark painted surface, alterations of the surface varnish and normal signs of time. In close light, the chroma, drapery and painting matter emerge more strongly, normally absorbed by the dark slate background.

No recent cleaning or restoration interventions have been carried out by the seller.

The work is sold complete with the frame visible in the photographs and will be carefully packed for shipment.