Christ carrying the Cross,
oil on panel, 52 x 40 cm, framed

Provenance:
Private European collection

The depiction of Christ carrying the Cross evidently attained great success in the region of Emilia-Romagna, where versions by Marco Palmezzano (1460–1539) and Francesco da Cotignola, called Zagarelli (1474–1532) are recorded.

The present work can also be compared to works by Baldassare Carrari (1460–1515/16). Christ’s features are similar to those of the Madonna in the Visitation in the Abbey of San Mercuriale, Forlì (circa 1498; registered in the Fototeca Zeri under no.100334) and to those of Christ in the Descent into Limbo in the Pinacoteca Comunale di Ravenna (circa 1502; inv. no. 28).

The few details that are known of Baldassare Carrari’s life can all be traced to the region of Emilia Romagna where he was one of the leading painters of the late Quattrocento, predominantly in his native city, Ravenna, between the years 1486 and 1516. The artist’s early training was influenced by the art of Ferrara and Forlì, and particularly of the painters Melozzo da Forli (1438–1494) and Marco Palmezzano (1460–1539). During the latter part of his career he was influenced by Venetian painting, especially the work of the Bellini (see A. Tempestini, Bellini e Belliniani in Romagna, Florence 1998, pp. 121-31).