Scuola lombardo-alpina (XV) - Cristo predica alle folle

Northern Italy master, Lombard-Alpine late Gothic culture - 15th century

“ Christ Preaching to the Crowd “
Eastern Lombardy / Padano-Alpine area,
1450–1475

- Work from an important museum collection

- Medium: egg tempera and mixed media on panel, gold ground

Dimensions: 59 × 43 cm
Period: 15th century, fourth quarter

Scope: Northern Italy, Lombard-Alpine late Gothic culture

< The work presents historical-artistic requirements that make plausible its interest for museums, public collections or specialized collections in late Gothic and fifteenth-century painting of Northern Italy >

- Attribution note

The work appears attributable to the figurative late Gothic culture of Northern Italy, with particular reference to the Lombard production developed around the mid and the fourth quarter of the fifteenth century.

The persistence of the gold ground, the hierarchical arrangement of Christ’s figure and the tight organization of the crowd are associated with a more modern attention to the individual characterization of the physiognomies.

The narrative and chromatic taste finds general references in the Lombard milieu developed among the experiences of the Zavattari, Bonifacio Bembo and Cristoforo Moretti; however, the marked outlining of some faces, the variety of headgear and certain expressive inflections also suggest a possible knowledge of transalpine models, compatible with the figurative culture of the southern Alpine arc.

- Description of the scene

The panel depicts Christ in the act of preaching to a group of faithful, gathered tightly to his right in an attitude of listening and devotion. The Redeemer’s figure, monumentally isolated on the gold background and underscored by the wide incised aureola, dominates the composition according to a hierarchical principle still deeply rooted in late Gothic tradition. The eloquent gesture of the hands emphasizes his role as teacher and dispenser of the Word.

Particularly effective narratively is the group of onlookers, built through a lively succession of profiles, glances and headgear, with strongly individualized physiognomies. Some characters are kneeling, others emerge progressively behind them, generating an intense movement of attention toward Christ. The rich color of the robes — reds, greens, blues and pinkish tones — stands out against the precious gold ground, imparting a solemn sacredness tempered by surprising human immediacy.

Thus the work combines persistences of late Gothic culture with a growing naturalistic sensibility, particularly evident in the observation of faces and in the will to transform the crowd into a set of individual, psychologically engaged presences.

- Condition Report:
The work presents itself in good state of preservation, compatible with the period and with the nature of the support. The painting surface shows widespread craquelure, abrasions, wear and small lacunae, more evident where the gold ground and some figurative areas are concerned. The gilding shows diffuse losses and surface alterations.
The wooden support shows on the reverse an articulated reinforcement system with crossbars and vertical elements, plausibly attributable to a previous conservation intervention. Restorations and retouchings from later periods are probable, and their actual extent can be determined by direct examination and UV fluorescence.
Overall, the composition retains good legibility and appreciable iconographic integrity, considering the fifteenth-century dating.

- Expertise and certificate of legitimate provenance
- Text and documentation drawn up by an antique expert

The frame is supplied free of charge and as a gift with the work and must therefore be regarded as an accessory element, not included in the economic assessment of the painting. Due to the natural fragility of antique and gilded frames, any damages, detachments, breaks or losses of parts of the frame occurring during transport or shipment cannot be the subject of reimbursement, compensation or dispute related to the value of the work. The packaging will nevertheless be prepared with maximum care to ensure, as far as possible, safe transport.

Insured shipping and secure packaging
Transportation insurance on the estimated value

*** For historical interest reasons the work cannot be shipped outside the European Community