Lot number 3611 - Auction 141
ECCE HOMO MIT VERLADUNG DES KREUZES

HIERONYMUS FRANCKEN III 1611 Antwerp - after 1661 ibid. ECCE HOMO WITH LOADING OF THE CROSS Oil on oak panel (cradled). 58 x 81 cm (F. 70 x 94 cm). Monogrammed 'HF' in ligature to the right of the saw blade. Part. slightly old rest., min. old retouching. Frame. Dr Härting writes: 'The painting Ecce Homo mit Verladung des Kreuzes known to me in the original bears the monogram of the Antwerp small-figure painter Hieronymus Francken III (1611-after 1661), son of the famous father Frans Francken II. When Jesus' indictment is read out in front of the Praetorium at the top left, the people and the Pharisees below cheer his condemnation. Pilate is standing at the side of a bowl of water, washing his hands in innocence (Math. 27:24). One of the thieves who will die with Christ on the cross can be seen in the crowd on the left. Dressed in white, like Jesus here, he could be the penitent to whom Jesus prophesied paradise (Luke 23:39ff). Not only does the monogram in the painting speak in favour of Jerome III, but stylistic features such as cheeky noses, some with white dots and strongly rounded shoulders also speak in his favour as the author of the painting. His pastose textile motifs also reveal a less sophisticated transparent glazing technique than that of his father, whose exemplary composition of exactly the same size he modelled himself on. We are grateful to Dr. Ursula Härting for her expertise on this painting by Hieronymus Francken III. Expertise: Enclosed expertise by Dr Ursula Härting (Hamm) dated 25.01.2024. Provenance: Rhenish private collection.