Scenes from the Passion of Christ.

3 drawings, black and white chalk, 27,5 x 17 cm, grey/brown laid paper, unsigned (heavy damp stain at upper corners of Christ before Caiaphas, minor damp stain at upper right corner of other 2 sheets, right edge sl. frayed).

"Christ led before Caiaphas", "Christ before Pilate" and "Christ led away from Pilate". Three drawings from a larger suite of drawings of the Passion of Christ. With a minimum use of black and white chalk this Netherlandish draftsman was able to create intense dramatic scenes. The overall composition shows some familiarity with the Passion series by Karel Van Mander, which was published as an engraving series by Zacharias Dolendo in 1596-98. The artist of the present drawings, however, considerably heightened the tension by showing the scenes from a closer viewpoint. The chiaroscuro effect of black and white chalk is slightly reminiscent of drawings attributed to Otto Van Veen (1556-1629) and his workshop. The drawing of Christ before Pilate contains an additional sketch on the verso side of a kneeling monk, possibly a donor's portrait.
Prov. Jean-Jacques Senon (coll. stamp on verso, not in Lugt; sold at Hôtel Drouot, Paris, April 2, 2012).