Christ tied to the Column
Ca. 1665. Oil on canvas.On display elsewhere
The restoration of this work uncovered the initials C. S. on the base of the column. Therefore, it was attributed to the painter Cornelius Schut, with whom it also coincides stylistically. Although the artist was of Flemish origin, he lived in Seville for most of his life and belonged to the Sevillian school of the circle of Murillo. He has occasionally been confused with Murillo, without ever matching his skill. It is worth noting the similarity between this Christ and the one also painted in a small format and dated around the same year by the master born in Seville (London, private collection). Both depict him nude, with a white cloth of purity, with his hand tied to a low column behind him against a neutral background. Nevertheless, this work by Schut shows greater drama and a looser handling of the brush.
Mena Marqués, M.; Albarrán, V., Azúa, F. de, La belleza cautiva. Pequeños tesoros del Museo del Prado = La bellesa captiva. Petits tresors del Museo del Prado, Barcelona, Museo del Prado - Obra Social "La Caixa", 2014, p.116