School of Verona, circa 1700

Anonymous sale, London, Bonhams, 29 October 2014, lot 59;
From whence purchased.

This fascinating portrayal of Christ as the Man of Sorrows was executed on slate, an unusual but much favored support for Northern Italian painters from the 16th to the 18th centuries, particularly those from Verona.  First pioneered by Sebastiano del Piombo, this medium allowed for a crisp and careful modelling as well as a dramatic natural backdrop.  Certainly the author of this painting was an accomplished artist who understood how to work with the slate’s slick surface and its naturally dark color to highlight the realistic details of Christ’s image while also accentuating the play of chiaroscuro effects on his face.