Anthony van Dyck, Nachfolge Lot n° 50

Anthony van Dyck, Succession Mater Dolorosa with the Arma Christi Oil on canvas (doubled). 117 x 163,5 cm. Our painting shows the iconographically unusual combination of the Mater Dolorosa, the "Sorrowful Mother" of Jesus, with the "Arma Christi", the instruments of suffering in the Passion of Christ. Following the pictorial tradition of the Mater Dolorosa, the seated Virgin Mary is depicted with a sword in her breast and directs her suffering gaze towards heaven. The sword refers to the words of the prophet Simeon at the depiction of Christ in the temple: "But a sword will pierce your soul" (Lk 2:35). Added to this in the present painting are the instruments of Christ's suffering, including the cross as well as the crown of thorns and the sponge of vinegar at the feet of the Mater Dolorosa. A standing putto at the left edge of the picture also holds a scourge and the nails of the cross in his hand - objects of the Passion, which he contemplates in anxious devotion. Three further putti as well as three cherubim in a cloud formation are also expressive bearers of expression and make up the special charm of the present painting. Partly they seem to want to comfort the Mater Dolorosa, partly they illustrate the pain of Christ's Passion with eloquent gestures. The present painting was at times attributed to Pieter Thijs, but Hans Vlieghe, whom we thank for his assistance in cataloguing this lot, was not entirely convinced. He sees the figure of Mary as being closer to the works of Thomas Willeboirts Bosschaert, but this is less true of the depiction of the putti. Thus, the artist of our highly qualitative work with its convincing composition and extraordinary iconography must remain anonymous for the time being, but may be sought in the succession of Anthony van Dyck.