Pamono Lombard Artist, Ecce Homo, 1650, Oil on Canvas, Framed> Old Masters

Provenance: Florence, Pandolfini, 5.10.2021, lot 209

The proposed canvas, the work of a Lombard painter active in the 17th century, shows the image of Christ portrayed according to the iconography of the Ecce Homo, with a crown of thorns placed over his long hair, stripped of his clothes, awaiting his immediate crucifixion on Golgotha

… Jesus came out, wearing the crown of thorns. Pilate said to them, “Behold the man.” Upon seeing him, the chief priests and the henchmen shouted: “Crucify him, crucify him” (Gospel of John 19.5).

This type of representation of Christ, called Ecce Homo and which, as specified, is placed before the moment of his Crucifixion, after being arrested and scourged, while he is being mocked by the Roman soldiers, who crown him with thorns as a sign of mockery towards the one who had proclaimed himself the King of Kings, spread in the 16th century, giving rise to particularly intense creations.

The image reconciles the notable spiritual strength of Christ in his moment of human suffering with a refined elegance, supported by the superb descriptive ability of the face that stands out from the dark background.

Although the Ecce Homo is not an ‘easy’ subject, in our case it is not a work treated with a strong dramatic sense, but equally capable of moving. While waiting for his martyrdom, what is striking is his face that appears imperturbable and not at all suffering, but also serene, to evoke the forgiveness he granted to his executioners.

The canvas is in good condition of conservation, considering the era.

The painting, like all our objects, is sold with a photographic certificate of authenticity in accordance with the law.