MAERTEN DE VOS (1532-1603) Lot n° 4

(circle) Golgotha: Longinus piercing Christ's side. Second quarter of 16th century. Oil on panel. 83 x 113 cm (103.5 x 133 cm) The composition of this 16th-century painting was most likely inspired by a drawing of Maerten de Vos, housed in the collection of the Städel Museum (inv. 2744). Given that the painting is mirror image of the drawing, one would suspect that the sheet served as a design for an engraving that was used as an example for the painting. No such print is known to date. However, we can assume that it was a successful composition as several painted variants exist which are also attributed to the circle of Maerten de Vos. One was sold at Christie's in London (18.12.1987, lot 208), another is housed at the Church of St. Elisabeth in Mons (cf. BALaT no. 10052898) and a third one can be found in the collection of the Museum or of Busleyden (inv. S0194; cf. BALaT no. 140769), both of which are attributed - possibly erroneously - to Michiel Coxie I (1492-1592). With expertise from Prof. Dr. Carl Van de Velde (Nationaal Centrum voor de Plastische Kunsten van de 16de en 17de eeuw), dated 23.2.1993 who also attributes the painting to an artist in the circle of Maerten de Vos.