SCOURGING OF CHRIST Italy, early 17th century Bronze 37 x 37.5 x 24 cm (with base) Provenance Carlo Gaetano Stampo (1667-1742) Cardinal and Archbishop of Milan Arthur M. Sackler NY collection, Sotheby's NY, 29 January 2010, lot 454 This group of three bronzes depicts an episode of the Passion of Christ, after his condemnation and before his ascent to Golgotha. The scourging of Christ or Christ on a pillar is depicted here in the traditional way - the Christ tied to the pillar is in the centre of the scene, on either side of the pillar. The scourging of Christ or Christ on the pillar is depicted here in the traditional way - Christ tied to the pillar is in the centre of the scene, on either side of him his executioners take it in turns to whip him with their ropes. Although the composition is reminiscent of certain models by Alessandro Algardi and his entourage, such as the one in the Fitzwilliam Museum, Cambridge, inv. M I-1965 (c. 1650-70), this group differs in certain details - the executioners are clothed, and appear to be using the ropes that are used to bind The executioners are clothed, and appear to be using the ropes used to tie Christ to the column as a whip. The overall appearance of the group reveals great execution and control of movement by the artist, even in the undulation of the ropes and the folds of the drapery. The expression on Christ's face, with his head bent forward and his body beginning to flinch from the pain of the blows, is in stark contrast to the tension of the other two figures. On the base, a silver mount with the coat of arms of Stampa di Sancio of Milan. On the back of the base, on the silver mounting is engraved "Car. Cajet S.R.E Prbr Card Stampa/ Ss Me'd Eccle Arch" in reference to the to the previous owner, Cardinal Carjetano Stampo, Archbishop of Milan. FLAGELLATION OF CHRIST Italy, early 17th century Bronze Dim. 37 x 37,5 x 24 cm (plinth included) Provenance Carlo Gaetano Stampo (1667-1742) Cardinal and Archbishop of Milan Arthur M. Sackler collection NY, Sotheby's NY, 29th January 2010, lot 454 This group of three bronzes relates an episode from the Passion of Christ, after his condemnation and before his ascent to Golgotha. The flagellation of Christ or Christ to the column is depicted here in the traditional way - the Christ is tied to the column in the center of the scene, on each side his executioners, whipping him with their ropes. Although the composition recalls certain models of Alessandro Algardi and his entourage such as a bronze group in the Fitzwilliam Museum, Cambridge, inv. M I-1965 (c. 1650-70), this group differs in some details - the executioners are clothed, and seem to use the ropes which serve to tie Christ to the column as a whip. The general appearance of the group reveals great execution, and mastery of movement by the artist, including the undulation of the strings and the folds of the drapes. The expression on the face of Christ, his head tilted forward, the body beginning to falter from the pain of the blows, marks a powerful contrast with the tension exuded by the other two figures. Wood base applied with silver mounts inscribed: "Car. Cajet S.R.E Prbr Card Stampa/ Ss Me'd Eccle Arch" (referring to the previous owner, Cardinal Carjetano Stampa, archbishop of Milan) and an armorial shield with the arms of the Stampa di Sancio of Milan.