Images(3)

Crowning with thorns

Artist Bartolomeo Passarotti Italian, 1529 - 1592

Date1570-1590

Period16th century

Classification(s)

Art / Drawings

Object TypeDrawing

Extent1 sheet

Registration NumberFAS/D/25

DescriptionThis drawing by the mannerist Bolognese artist Bartolomeo Passarotti depicts Christ being crowned with thorns and mocked. The composition is structured around six figures which fill up the drawing space, without any details suggesting the setting, making this scene reminiscent of a theatrical stage, specifically the Passion plays performed as part of religious processions during Holy Week. Christ is seated in the centre flanked by two figures, one on either side, affixing the crown of thorns on his head. To the right a kneeling figure mocks Christ, whilst to the far left two standing figures in oriental garments discuss the event. The composition is rendered quite energetically with quick pen strokes defining the bold gestural action of the figures, their bodies and faces bordering on the grottesque and denoting the influence of Northern mannerism.Annotations and MarksOn verso, top left corner, in pencil & circled: '4'; bottom centre, museum inventory number: '1661-1662/ FAS/D/25 /D15', lower left corner, in cursive: 'N 32'.Material

Pen and brown ink with wash over graphite on laid paper; laid down

Technique

Drawing

Place of Manufacture

Bologna, Italy

DimensionsSupport: 36.2 x 52.6 cmProvenanceAcquired for the museum in 1933 from an unknown private collection in Malta. Published ReferencesM.A.R. (1933-34), p.xv, no. 31
Stefania Lumetta, 'Dessins acquis par Vincenzo Bonello en 1933-1934 pour le département des Arts graphiques du musée des Beaux-Arts de La Vallette, Malte', in Art Italies, n° 22, 2016, pp. 127-8
Stefania Lumetta, I Grandi Disegni del National Museum of Fine Arts di Valletta, Malta. L'Acquisizione di Vincenzo Bonello negli anni di curatela 1933-34, unpublished thesis, Facoltà di Lettere e Filosofia, Scuola di Specializzazione in Beni Storico Artistici, Università degli Studi di Genova, 2013; pp. 29-32.

Alternate ID Numbers