Spanish school; 17th century, after models by... Lot 4

Spanish school; 17th century, after models by QUENTIN METSYS (Belgium, ca. 1466 - 1530). "Virgin of Calvary", Oil on canvas. Antique re-drawing. It presents faults in the painting and in the frame. Needs to be cleaned. Measurements: 72 x 47 cm; 79 x 84 cm (frame). This work probably belongs to a larger pictorial complex, which would also include the portrait of Jesus on the Cross, and that of St. John, thus forming the traditional representation of Calvary. The figure of Mary can be seen here, holding her hands to her chest, holding a white cloth, which may well be the shroud of her son. Her sorrowful but serene face is bent downwards in a reflective attitude, with a lost gaze and tears falling from her eyes. Despite the dramatic nature of the subject matter, the artist avoids the pathos typical of these works, showing us a monumental Virgin of great volumetric dimensions, who concentrates all her pain, giving the viewer an elegant image. As the founder of the Antwerp school, characterised by the achievement of a balanced synthesis between the Flemish tradition and the influence of the Italian Renaissance, Quentin Metsys was a highly influential figure with a number of disciples and followers. He was born in the city of Louvain, although he developed his career in Antwerp. He cultivated religious subjects and portraiture, the two most popular genres of the period, and his works often had a clear satirical undertone. He was trained in the language of the Flemish Primitives, which prevailed during his formative years. Thus, the intense religious sense, sumptuous colour and meticulous detail remained constants in his style, although with the passing of time the influence of Leonardo da Vinci became apparent and his language became increasingly delicate and calm. It is thought that he may have become acquainted with Leonardo's work through the engravings that were circulating in Flemish artistic circles at the time, often by local engravers. In fact, his "Madonna and Child with Lamb" (1513, Poznan, National Museum) is clearly inspired by the Italian's "Madonna and Child with Saint Anne" (ca. 1503, Paris, Louvre). Historians also consider a possible trip by Metsys to Italy, although there are no surviving documentary sources to confirm this. In fact, we know little reliable information about his life today, especially about his early life. The son of a blacksmith, it is said that he abandoned his family trade for painting as he considered this a more elevated art. In any case, there is no documentation of the painters' guild in Louvain before 1494, so there is no concrete evidence that Metsys became a master there. However, it is generally accepted by historians that he must have begun his training there, as he is not recorded in Antwerp as an apprentice. We do know from later sources that he had his own workshop in Antwerp, but only four apprentices were trained there: Adrian van Overbeke, Willem Muelenbroec, Eduart Potugalois and Hennen Boeckmaere, all of whom were registered in his workshop between 1495 and 1510. It is now thought that Joachim Patinir also spent part of his formative years in Metsys' workshop and that he collaborated with the master by painting landscapes for his works. The lack of information about Metsys in the following years suggests that he may have travelled to Italy and other cities in the Low Countries. In any case, the foreign influence on his language can be deduced from his paintings and is considered an important part of his training at a late date in the new century. With regard to the Flemish basis of his language, there are clear traces of the language of Dirk Bouts, who introduced the influences of Hans Memling and Rogier van der Weyden to Leuven.