Coronation of Thorns / Light Sketches
XVIII century. Pencil, Grey-brown wash on laid paper.Not on display
This drawing depicts the interior of a prison, illuminated by a lantern, where several executioners are vilifying Christ. One of them adjusts Christ’s crown of thorns with a stick, another on the left puts the reed sceptre between Christ’s bound hands, a third on the right sticks out his tongue and gives him the fig sign. On the left of the composition are three standing figures.
Judging by its technique, which is careless though strongly reminiscent of the 17th century, it must be a work from the early 18th century, notably recalling the work of Luca Giordano in the figures on the left and of Van Dyck in the executioner on the right.
On the verso are some light sketches in red chalk.
Pérez Sánchez, Alfonso E., Catálogo de Dibujos. Vol. III. Dibujos Españoles Siglo XVIII. C-Z, Madrid, Ministerio de Cultura, 1977, p.116
