Attrib. to Pieter Aertsen (1507/08-1575), The Lamentation of Christ, oil on panel
Pieter Aertsen was a Dutch master, both by origin and because the scene of his mature work was Amsterdam. He was probably born there too, in 1507 or 1508, and according to Van Mander also absolved his apprenticeship in Amsterdam under Allart Claesz. Between 1535 and about 1555, he lived in Antwerp, when Pieter Coecke (after 1527) and Frans Floris (after 1541) set the tone there.
The 'Lamentation of Christ' is devoted to spirituality. It focuses on different poses of the saintly figures, especially Maria Salome, Maria Jacoba, Maria Magdalene and Saint John. The drama is suggested by manneristic and complicated curves in the folds of the dresses and the alternating movement of the hands, which seem to follow a rhythmic pattern. Pieter Aertsen's mobile brushwork pursues the surface of things, showing particular skill and pleasure in bringing out furs and pelts. His palette is predominantly luminous and saturated, harmoniously warm despite the harsh contrasts of light and dark.

Literature: Max J. Friedlander, Antonis Mor and his Contemporaries, 1975
On request, we can send you the certificate of authenticity by Edmond Florens, Brussel 1981.
Edmond Florens was the former head of the Groeninge Museum Bruges restoration department.

Provenance: private collection in Bruges.
50 x 58 cm. (19.6 x 22.8 in.), Frame: 63 x 71 cm. (24.8 x 27.9 in.)

The condition report is available on carlobonte.be