14 - Circle of Pietro Novelli, called Il Monrealese,

Circle of Pietro Novelli, called Il Monrealese, Italian 1602-1647- Christ mocked; oil on canvas, 82 x 64.9 cm. Provenance: Anon. sale, Christie's, South Kensington, 19 October 2000, lot 175. Private Collection, UK. Note: The present work recalls Novelli's dramatic religious scenes, characterised by a Caravaggesque chiaroscuro which renders his scenes particularly atmospheric and theatrical, as well as a focus on the figures' musculature which evokes a striking sense of their physical presence. This approach is evident in Novelli's depiction of 'Christ on the Column' which sold at Sotheby's, Paris, on 30 June 2020, lot 44, or his 'Martyrdom of St Bartholomew' which sold at Christie's, London, on 19 April 2000, lot 88. The composition is also reminiscent of those by fellow Italian artist Daniele Crespi (1598-1630), including in Crespi's own versions of 'The Mocking of Christ' which can be found in the collections of the Blanton Museum of Art [2017.1059] and Los Angeles County Museum of Art [M.2013.82].