$340,000
Estimate: $1,500 - $2,500
Auction: October 2, 2019 11:00:00 AM EDT
Black chalk, heightened with white (rubbed) chalk on paper, with Hand-In-Flower watermark (close to Heawood 2468, Rome circa 1503-1508)
Sheet size: 12 5/16 x 10 5/16 in. (32.9 x 26.2cm)Provenance
Henry Scipio Reitlinger, London (Lugt 2274a).
(Possibly) His sale, Sotheby's, London, December 9, 1953, unknown lot.
Private Collection, California.
Note
The present work is a preparatory double-sided study for one of the frescoes completed by Pordenone in the Duomo di Cremona, 100 km southeast of Milan. The front side of the sheet, executed in black chalk, ultimately prepares for the figure to the right of the final painting. The verso, this time done in red chalk, is a double study for the soldier pulling Christ by his tunic, standing to the left of the horse on the final work. The very small figure at the top of the sheet appears to be a preparatory study for the soldier, to the right of Christ, and who seizes him by the arm. While the overall composition, and the exuberant, sensual style of the artist is on full display here, it is interesting to notice the slight variations, and differences in the caharacters' postures and expressions between the studies and the final work.