Girolamo Romanino, 1484/87 – 1562 Lot n° 262

ECCE HOMO BETWEEN APOSTLE AND A TORTURE CHILD Oil on canvas. 86 x 76 cm. Attached an expert opinion by Prof. Giancarlo Sestieri, Rome, 23 Dec. 2021. The painting is an unpublished work of the mentioned artist. As also observed in the attached expert opinion, the figurative and stylistic elements are consistent with the known work of Romanino. This is true, for example, for the incarnate parts, which are kept in a brownish color, but also for the composition, as we see it, for example, in that "Ecce Homo" painting, which is in the Lower Saxony State Museum. Jesus is also shown here in half-length portrait with crown of thorns and mocking scepter. The upper body already stripped for the crucifixion, slightly bent forward, giving the impression of the departure for Golgotha. On the left is a bearded man, wrapped in a cloak. This is probably an apostle of Jesus. Contrary to the view in the enclosed expert opinion, one could be of the opinion that the accompanying figure on the right is not to be seen as another disciple, but rather a torturer's assistant, who is just about to occupy himself with loosening the handcuffs. Thereby he looks up to the right, probably to receive instructions. The shirt that has slipped down and exposes his shoulder also corresponds to this. His open mouth is also only to be seen in this context: The representation shows accordingly that moment, since the condemnation of Pilate comes now to the execution. The look in the face of the apostle on the left shows therefore bewilderment and horror. Jesus, on the other hand, keeps his head bowed and seems to have surrendered to the tragedy. This psychologically subtle rendering of the situation alone proves the high rank of the painter. Little is known about Girolamo da Romano, called Romanino, who was also known as Girolamo Brescia or Hieronymus de Brescia, about his education and early biography. A stay in Venice is highly probable, since the present painting also shows influences from Titian and especially from Giorgione. He frequently collaborated with his son-in-law Lattanzio Gambara (1530-1574), who worked in a similar style. Important works by his hand can be found in the church of San Francesco in Brescia, where he also frescoed the entire choir room. Furthermore, he worked in the Castello del Buonconsiglio Trento, in the Valcamonica or in the Duomo Vecchio of his hometown. Among his pupils are Girolamo Muziano or Callisto da Lodi. Together with Savoldo and Moretto da Brescia, the painter is one of the three most important masters of the Lombardo-Venetian school of his city. The painting shows pentimenti and exposures in the lower part. A.R. Literature: Lia Camerlengo, Romanino. Un pittore in rivolta nel Rinascimento italiano, exhibition catalog, Castello del Buonconsiglio, Monumenti e Collezioni Provinciali, Trento, July 29-October 29, 2006, Cinisello Balsamo et al. 2006. (1301453) (11) Girolamo Romanino, 1484/87 - 1562 ECCE HOMO BETWEEN APOSTLE AND A TORTURER Oil on canvas. 86 x 76 cm. Accompanied by an expert's report by Professor Giancarlo Sestieri, Rome, dated 23 December 2021. Literature: Lia Camerlengo, Romanino. Un pittore in rivolta nel Rinascimento italiano, exhibition catalogue, Castello del Buonconsiglio, Monumenti e Collezioni Provinciali, Trento, 29 July-29 October 2006, Cinisello Balsamo a.o. 2006.