Italian school, 17th century. "The fall of Christ." Oil on canvas. Relined.

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Old Masters

By Setdart Auction House

Jun 30, 2021

Set Reminder 2021-06-30 08:30:00 2021-06-30 08:30:00 America/New_York Bidsquare Bidsquare : Old Masters https://www.bidsquare.com/auctions/setdart-auction-house/old-masters-7134
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• Lot Description
  Italian school, 17th century. "The fall of Christ." Oil on canvas. Relined. Presents repaints. Measures: 80 x 107 cm. This oil on canvas depicts the fall of Jesus on his way to Calvary, overcome by the weight of the cross. In the scene we also see Simon the Cyrenian, who helps him to carry the cross again, although the image of Veronica, who holds the cloth for Jesus to wipe with it the blood and sweat from his face, does not appear. It is the cloth on which, according to sacred history, the features of Christ were miraculously imprinted. Simon the Cyrenian, for his part, is like the living image of the disciples of Jesus, who take up their cross and follow him. Moreover, Simon's example invites us to bear one another's burdens selflessly, as St. Paul teaches. This is the unified representation, therefore, of the representation of the fifth station of the Way of the Cross, in which Simon helps Christ with the cross. The landscape format image shows this scene in a narrative way, concentrating almost all the characters in the foreground, which facilitates a simpler visual reading. All the characters are standing in the scene, adopting active positions, which transmit instantaneity to the spectator, giving realism to a concrete fact of the biblical story, and highlighting small everyday life. The only character who is not upright is the protagonist, Jesus, who has fallen under the weight of the cross and the attacks of the soldiers accompanying him. Almost lying on the ground, Christ, despite his physical dejection, turns his face, dominated by the crown of thorns, and fixes his gaze to the front. Christ's face is not one of criticism or sorrow, but the sobriety of his gesture invites us to examine our conscience about our guilt and our actions in the torture of our neighbor. Exhausted by the blood lost in the scourging, weakened by the physical and moral sufferings that had been inflicted on him the night before, and without having slept, he could hardly take a few steps and soon fell under the weight of the cross. Then followed the blows and imprecations of the soldiers, the expectant laughter of the public. Jesus, with all the strength of his will and with all his strength, managed to get up and continue on his way. According to theological interpretations, Jesus invites us with his actions to carry our cross and to follow him, he teaches us here that we too can fall, and that we must understand those who fall; that no one must remain prostrate, we must all get up with humility and trust, seeking his help and forgiveness.
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