Oil on unlined canvas
England, 19th century
After an original by Giovanni Francesco Barbieri, called il Guercino (1591-1666), now in the Fitzwilliam Museum, University of Cambridge, UK
Bear the canvas maker stamp, ‘Smith – Piccadilly’, on verso
Gilt stucco frame
Overall dimensions, framed: 86.5 x 98.5 cm
Provenance: Private collection, Switzerland
The original by Guercino dates from the 1620s, when the young artist was at the apex of his artistic output and influenced by the dramatic lighting of Caravaggio
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The present painting is the work of an English artist active in the 19th century. It is based on a painting by the Italian painter Guercino, now in the Fitzwilliam Museum of the University of Cambridge. The depiction shows the moment of the taking of Christ immediately after the Juda’s kiss. The artist of the present work has remained faithful to Guercino’s depiction. He has also taken over the chiaroscuro in order to enhance the dramatic image effect.



The canvas is unlined. The paint surface shows major framing marks. There are two punches to the lower part and to the upper left, as well as two dents in the left part of the canvas. On the reverse are visible several patches. Inspection under UV Light reveals areas of retouching throughout the canvas, especially affecting the darker tones and the background. The fine details, however, are still in good order. The gilt stucco frame shows some chips. The overall dimensions, framed are 86.5 x 98.5 cm. The stretcher measures 63 x 76 cm.



Guercino (1591-1666)

The Italian Baroque painter il Guercino received his first artistic training with Benedetto Gennari I (1563-1658), a painter of the Bolognese School, but he is widely regarded as an autodidact. No later than 1615, he went to Bologna. Guercino was influenced by contemporary art theorists, who demanded a new kind of naturalism. Especially Lodovico Carracci (1555-1619) exerted a lasting influence on his early work. In his late work Guercino approached more the works of Guido Reni (1575-1642). Today, works by Guercino are on display in many major museums, including the Kunsthistorische Museum in Vienna, the J. Paul Getty Museum in Los Angeles, the National Gallery in London and the Prado in Madrid.

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