5208 - Scolari, Giuseppe

Scolari, Giuseppe Ecce Homo. Woodcut. 33.5 x 32.5 cm. Circa 1597. Basseggio 6 (attributed to Domenico dalle Greche after Titian), Passavant 31 (idem), Muraro/Rosand 109. Marked with the letters PG. This striking depiction, imbued with religious pathos, is stylistically entirely in the tradition of Venetian woodcut production of the early Cinquecento. For this reason, Basseggio attributed the design to Titian and, like Passavant, suggested Domenico dalle Greche as the artist who executed the woodcut. In reality, however, it is a late work by Giuseppe Scolari that exemplifies the stylistic characteristics of his woodcut technique. Muraro and Rosand note in this regard: “In this print, Scolari achieves his purest woodcut style” (Tiziano e la silografia veneziana del Cinquecento, Vicenza 1976, p. 109). The emotionally charged scene is rendered in a broad, powerful, and immensely expressive style. The artist has subtly depicted the dramatic contrast between the suffering Christ and the crude, physical violence of the executioners’ henchmen. Scolari demonstrates here a masterful command of the medium—a compelling reason for Muraro and Rosand to classify the print as part of his late work. Furthermore, a contemporary, reciprocal copy by another artist has survived (Muraro/Rosand 110), though it is coarser in execution and lacks the quality of Scolari’s original. Excellent, even, and vigorous impression with the border line. Minimal conservation issues; on the reverse, an inconspicuous, smoothed hanging crease; otherwise a very fine, authentic copy. Rare. - Please ask for condition reports for individual lots, as the condition is usually not mentioned in the catalog. - Please ask for condition reports for individual lots, as the condition is usually not mentioned in the catalog.