PR 52

olio su tavola di rovere

Cento opere di Van Dyck - Genova - 1955

This extraordinary work, painted in oil on wood, dates back to Van Dyck's early career, prior to his arrival in Genoa. It completed a series of paintings, all half-length portraits, depicting the Twelve Apostles, to which Christ carrying the cross was added. The series is mentioned in ancient times in the Genoese picture gallery of the Serra nobles and is now scattered among various collections. The painter's early style reveals a clear influence from his master Rubens, to whom the painting was initially attributed. Close-up painting of Christ, with the cross resting on his left shoulder.