Cornelis Cornelisz. van Haarlem

Anonymous sale, ("The Property of a Gentleman"), London, Sotheby's, 1 November 1972, lot 172.

P.J.J. van Thiel, Cornelis Cornelisz. van Haarlem 1562-1638, Doornspijk 1999, p. 140, cat. no. 84, p. 324, reproduced plate 334.

The actual painting is a lot softer and less red in tone than the catalogue illustration suggests. The single panel is flat and stable. It has an arched shaped top and is bevelled on the lower and left sides. No damages are apparent. The paint is slightly thin, mainly in the brownish tones in the background and lower foreground. A few small discoloured spots of retouching are visible in the lower centre left, in the figure lower right and around the flag upper right. The paint surface is covered with a dull and dirty layer of varnish. Inspection under Ultra-Violet light confirms the aforementioned retouchings, and reveals additional tiny scattered retouchings throughout, e.g. in the right hand and face of Christ, in the figures on the right, and in the standing figure on the left. Offered in a parcel gilt light wood frame with an arched top, with a few small damages. (MW)
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

This image of the resurrection of Christ can be compared to a much earlier depiction of the same subject by Cornelisz. van Haarlem of 1598, now in a private collection, France, which shows Christ in a very similar posture.¹ Given the small size of the present painting, it was probably intended as part of a house altar. As such it can also be compared to a depiction of the Triumphant Christ, also painted in 1632, sold, London, Christie's, 11 December 1986, lot 144, which is of a similar small size.² As Van Thiel points out, both paintings testify to Cornelis' participation in the revival of Catholic art in Haarlem at the beginning of the 1630s.³

1. See Van Thiel under Literature, pp. 118, 151, 324, cat. no. 83, reproduced plate 148.
2. oil on panel, 43 x 25.7 cm., present whereabouts unknown, Van Thiel, op. cit., p. 330, cat. no. 94, reproduced plate 335.
3. idem, p. 140.