Caravaggista school; late seventeenth century. "The arrest of Christ". Oil on canvas.

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Old Masters, Day 1

By Setdart Auction House

Nov 24, 2021

Set Reminder 2021-11-24 09:00:00 2021-11-24 09:00:00 America/New_York Bidsquare Bidsquare : Old Masters, Day 1 https://www.bidsquare.com/auctions/setdart-auction-house/old-masters-day-1-7873
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• Lot Description
  Caravaggista school; late seventeenth century. "The arrest of Christ". Oil on canvas. Possible signature on the back. It presents faults in the painting, repainting and slight restorations. Measurements: 43.5 x 32 cm; 53 x 41.5 cm (frame). In the darkness of the Mount of Olives, which is not appreciated in the scene, Jesus receives the kiss that consummates the betrayal of Judas. To portray this biblical scene, the author has placed Judas and Jesus in the center of the composition, clearly differentiating the figure of Jesus, by placing him facing the viewer as opposed to Judas who is giving the sword, and also resulting in the divine figure with a brighter color palette. Around the main figures, the artist has placed several soldiers in relation to the biblical text that describes a group of soldiers sent by the high priests of the Temple to capture Christ, Stylistically, the work shows a clear influence of Caravaggio and the followers of his style: theatrical use of a powerful spotlight, combination of this strong illumination with areas in darkness, use of diagonals, use of models inspired by the common people (although without the extraordinary realism of the Italian master in the present work because there is a greater degree of idealization in the faces), etc. Michelangelo Merisi da Caravaggio, known as Caravaggio, was an Italian painter, active in Rome, Naples, Malta and Sicily between 1593 and 1610. His painting combines a realistic observation of the human figure, both physically and emotionally, with a dramatic use of light, which exerted a decisive influence on the formation of Baroque painting. Caravaggio depicted close anatomical observation with a dramatic use of chiaroscuro that would come to be known as tenebrism. This technique became a dominant stylistic element, darkening shadows and transfiguring objects into brilliant beams of light. He vividly expressed crucial moments and scenes, often involving violent struggles, torture and death. He worked quickly with models from life, dispensing with sketches to work directly on canvas. His influence was profound in the new Baroque style that emerged from Mannerism and can be traced in the works of great masters such as Pedro Pablo Rubens, José de Ribera, Rembrandt and Diego Velázquez, as well as in countless artists of the following generation, who because they manifested his profound influence were called "Caravaggists" or "Tenebrists".
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