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Fine Italian 17th Century Oil on Canvas Head of Jesus Christ Crowned with Thorns

Circa 1670-1690

About the Item

A very fine Italian 17th century oval oil on canvas "Head of Christ Crowned with Thorns" Circle of Pierre Mignard (French, 1612-1695) within its original gilt wood and gesso carved frame. A crown of thorns was placed on Christ’s head in the lead up to his crucifixion, while Roman soldiers mockingly declared him ‘King of the Jews’ (Matthew 27: 29). This detailed portrayal of Christ’s face convincingly conveys his anguish in the aftermath of this torment, circa: 1670-1690. Provenance: Anonymous sale, Paris, Hotel Drouot, 26 March 2003, lot 55 (as Attributed to Nicolas Mignard). Measures: Canvas Height: 15 1/2 inches (39.4 cm) Canvas Width: 12 5/8 inches (32 cm) Frame Height: 25 1/4 inches (64.1 cm) Frame Width: 20 1/4 inches (51.4 cm) Frame Depth: 3 1/4 inches (8.3 cm) The Head of Christ or 'Ecce Homo' is one of the most frequently represented subjects in seventeenth-century painting. Following the Counter-Reformation (the self-imposed disciplining of the Catholic Church to ‘counter’ the successes of the Protestant Reformation), portrayals of Christ’s suffering became increasingly popular, as such images provoked empathy and devotion in viewers. One of the functions of seventeenth-century art was to instill an understanding of human experience, close-up images of the suffering Christ did just that. Pierre Mignard or Pierre Mignard I (17 November 1612 – 30 May 1695), called "Mignard le Romain" to distinguish him from his brother Nicolas Mignard, was a French painter known for his religious and mythological scenes and portraits. He was a near-contemporary of the Premier Peintre du Roi Charles Le Brun with whom he engaged in a bitter, life-long rivalry. Life Pierre Mignard was born at Troyes, France in 1612 as the son of Pierre and Marie Gallois. He came from a family of artisans. He was the younger brother of Nicolas, who became a painter and etcher who was mainly active in Avignon and was known as Mignard d'Avignon. Nicolas had two sons, Paul who became a painter and etcher and Pierre who became a painter and architect. To distinguish his nephew Pierre from his uncle, the nephew was called "Pierre II" or "Le Chevalier". Pierre Mignard trained in Bourges with the Mannerist painter Jean Boucher. He later spent time making copies of the Mannerist works in the château of Fontainebleau. He then studied for a period in the studio of Simon Vouet. Mignard left for Rome in 1635 where he would stay about 22 years. It is because of his long residence in Rome that he got the nickname 'Mignard le Romaine'. In Rome he painted religious commissions. He was particularly known for his many images of the Madonna and Child. They were so popular that they were referred to as "Mignardises." He also painted altarpieces. Compatriot Nicolas Poussin hired Mignard to make copies of his works. He was also active as a reproductive engraver making copies after Annibale Carracci. Mignard also developed his lifelong interest in portraiture at this time, and he painted portraits of subsequent popes, cardinals, and prominent members of the Italian nobility. He also travelled to Northern Italy where he visited Bologna, Parma, Mantua, Florence and Venice. His reputation was such that he was summoned to Paris in 1657, probably by Cardinal Mazarin. He travelled back via Avignon where his brother Nicolas worked. Here he met the dramatist Molière, who became a close friend and of whom he painted several portraits. In Paris he became a popular portrait painter. He found favor with king Louis XIV who sat for many portraits. Mignard became a rival of the leading French painter of that time and first painter to the King, Charles Le Brun. He declined to enter the academy of which Le Brun was the head. Mignard also opposed the authority of the academy. His brother Nicolas and his nephew Paul, who was his pupil, chose the side of Le Brun against Pierre, which led to a break in the relationship. With the death of Le Brun in 1690, the situation changed. Mignard succeeded to all the posts held by his opponent. He died in 1695 at Paris as he was about to begin work on the cupola of Les Invalides. Work Mignard was mainly active as a portrait painter. He also produced mythological and religious scenes. Soon after his return to Paris, Mignard was able to attract the patronage of important personalities who commissioned portraits of him. His sitters included Turenne, Molière, Bossuet, Maintenon (in the Louvre), La Vallière, Sévigné, Montespan, Descartes (in Castle Howard). He was thus one of the most successful portrait painters of his time although according to some art historians also the most boring one. Many of compositions were engraved by Gérard Audran, Pieter van Schuppen, Robert Nanteuil, Gérard Edelinck, Antoine Masson, François de Poilly and others. There is a good selection of works by Pierre, Nicolas, and Pierre II in Avignon at the Musée Calvet. The Courtauld Institute of Art (London), Harvard University Art Museums, the Hermitage Museum, the Honolulu Museum of Art, Kunst Indeks Danmark, the Louvre, Musée d'Art et d'Histoire (Geneva), Musée des Augustins (Toulouse, France), Musée Ingres (Montauban, France), Museo Lombardi (Parma, Italy), the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston, the National Gallery, London, the National Portrait Gallery, London, the North Carolina Museum of Art, the Portland Art Museum and Versailles are among the public collections holding works by Pierre Mignard.
  • Creation Year:
    Circa 1670-1690
  • Dimensions:
    Height: 25.25 in (64.14 cm)Width: 20.25 in (51.44 cm)Depth: 3.25 in (8.26 cm)
  • Medium:
    Oil,Canvas,Wood
  • Movement & Style:
    Old Masters
  • Circle Of:
    (circle of) Pierre Mignard (1612 - 1695, French)
  • Period:
    17th Century
  • Condition:
    Relined. A truly fantastic quality painting of Christ with its original 17th century gilt-wood carved frame. Overall condition is great, some minor touch-ups, age stress and scratches to canvas and some wear to frame gilt. Please view all images.
  • Gallery Location:
    LA, CA
  • Reference Number:
    Seller: Ref.: A2528 - Lot 113511stDibs: LU2755215027832

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