Early 19th-century Central European School, Christ The Saviour

This early 19th-century central European oil painting depicts Christ The Saviour standing atop an orb and carrying a cross over his left shoulder.

An unusual composition, Christ’s rather striking posture is perhaps more ‘Saturday Night Fever’ than it is sacramental. However, the iconography is archaic and derived ultimately from New Testament illustrations dating to the Middle Ages. Depictions of orbs are usually symbolic of the universe, while the cross alludes to redemption. Hence, it’s a visual representation of Christ as the Saviour of humanity.

Francisco de Zurbarán’s (1598-1664) ‘Christ the Saviour Blessing’, at the Museo del Prado in Madrid, is somewhat alike but it bears more resemblance to central and eastern European examples, such as this version by Russian artist, Borovikovsky. In many of these, Christ wears a red tunic (referred to in John 19:23) and blue mantle.

The painting bears a label from a Slovakian auction and was once probably intended for private worship or a monastic setting.

Housed in a splendid 19th-century gilt frame with foliate.

Medium: Oil on canvas
Overall size: 25” x 31” / 64cm x 79cm
Year of creation: c. 1830
Provenance: Private collection, central Europe.
Condition: Assessed and approved by our conservator. Cleaned. Revarnished. Canvas relined. Settled craquelure, as you would expect. The paint layer is stable. Frame with light marks and signs of age.
Our reference: BRV1809