Galerie Dreyfus
55
-
MASTER OF GUEBWILLER (active in Guebwiller, Mulhouse and Bas…
See original version (French)
55
-
MASTER OF GUEBWILLER (active in Guebwiller, Mulhouse and Bas…
See original version (French)
Estimate €200,000 - €250,000
Voluntary lot
Description
MASTER OF GUEBWILLER
(active in Guebwiller, Mulhouse and Basel in the late 15th century)
Christ before Pilate
c. 1470–1480
Oil on panel with a gold ground
89.6 x 97.8 cm.
Provenance
Anonymous sale;
Phillips, London, 10 December 1996, lot no. 44, where it was acquired by the present owner.
The calm that prevails on the left-hand side of this panel contrasts with the confusion
reigning on the right. It reinforces the narrative by providing its starting point, for, as
he washes his hands in this silver-gilt basin held out by his servant, the prefect of Judea, Pontius
Pilate, seals Christ’s fate by handing him over to his executioners, thereby initiating his Passion. Dignified and
resigned, still facing the Roman prefect, Christ—recognisable by his cruciform halo—is
immediately surrounded by a crowd that harasses him. Soldiers, as well as high priests and Jewish dignitaries,
scurry about him to lead him towards his torment. This is a pivotal scene; the gold background
that forms its backdrop places it firmly within the sacred episodes of the Passion. Here, the figures strike
stilted poses with an expressive, almost mannerist style of gesture. Their faces display expressions
bordering on caricature, which contrast with Christ’s peaceful countenance. Particular care has been
taken with the drapery of the garments, whose sharp folds are elegantly emphasised by
subtle shading to create the three-dimensional effect. The elegant simplicity of Christ’s mauve tunic
emphasises his humility, in contrast to the scarlet robes of the two powerful figures flanking him, in
a striking symbolic reversal. In this respect, the throne occupied by Pontius Pilate also seems
to have been taken from the Son of God, further emphasising the insult inflicted upon him. The episode is taken
from the Gospel according to Saint Matthew (27:24), where Pilate ‘took some water and, in full view of the crowd, washed
his hands, saying: “I am not responsible for this man’s death. That is your responsibility.”’
This inner panel of a polyptych depicting the Passion of Christ follows the composition of an engraving
by Martin Schongauer (c. 1450–1491), dating from the 1470s–1480s. Two other panels from the same altarpiece are known: The Stripping of Christ and The Way of the Cross (the latter was sold at Sotheby’s, London, on 9 December 2004, lot no. 163). A comparison of these panels reveals the same cruciform nimbus and the same hallmark on the gilded background. These three panels, together with the one probably depicting Christ on the Mount of Olives, would
form the inner register of a side panel of an altarpiece. A little-known master, this artist takes his
name from a panel of an altarpiece depicting The Visitation and Saints Peter and Paul, originally
from a church in the town of Guebwiller in Alsace, now held at the Musée des Beaux-Arts
in Strasbourg. The vividly coloured palette, like the rendering of the figures, is characteristic of
late Rhenish Gothic art of the late 15th century. The drapery, with its broad, sharp folds, inherited
from Flemish painting, is nevertheless softened by a modelling of shading that lends
a certain softness to the fabrics and creates sudden changes in tone, as only
velvet can achieve. This balanced use of pure colours is characteristic of this
Rhenish school, which developed the ‘weicher Stil’ (‘velvety style’ in German). This refined work
provides further evidence of the creative dynamism of this late Gothic period,
known as ‘International Gothic’. It was amidst this artistic effervescence that the Master
of Guebwiller developed his craft; his work, prized for its rarity, demonstrates a great mastery in
incorporating the latest innovations of his contemporaries.
See original version (French)
Auto-translation. Refer to original language for legal validity.
Pictures credits: Contact the Auction House
You may also like