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Dimensions: measurements note 17 by 12 1/2 in.; 43.2 by 31.2 cm.
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Exhibited: Mechelen, Margareta van Oostenrijk en haar Hof, July 26 - September 15, 1958, p. 7, no. 57 (as attributed to Quinten Massys);
Toledo, Palacio de Fuensalido, Pintura Flamenca de Tiempos de Carlios V, May - June 1969, pp. 72-3, no. 26, reproduced (as Quinten Massys);
Mechelen, Van Karel de Stoute tot Keizer Karel, 1973, no. 351 (as Quinten Massys).
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Notes: PROPERTY FROM A PRIVATE COLLECTION, BELGIUM
From a photograph, Dr. Larry Silver, the author of the 1984 monograph on Massys, considers Christ, bust length, to be an autograph work by Quinten, although he does not rule out the possibility of some studio participation. We are grateful to Dr. Silver for his assistance.
The present painting combines elements from two of Quinten Massys' bust length representations of Christ - Christ Blessing, in the Prado Museum, Madrid (see fig. 1), and Salvator Mundi, in the Koninklijk Museum, Antwerp (see fig. 2). Although the present work was previously considered a variant of the Prado picture, Dr. Silver has suggested that this Christ may in fact pre-date the Prado version. In both, Christ is represented bust length, He is turned towards the left, and His collar is embroidered with authentic Hebrew letters, which read, Jesus Son of Mary (?). (The last word is difficult to be certain of because of the idiosyncrasies of Hebrew writing.) Massys' attempt in both pictures to include accurate Hebrew inscriptions is extremely unusual in Netherlandish art of this period. As no ordinary person in the 16th century read Hebrew, it is likely that the artist consulted a scholar to help him. The gold rays of the halo that emanate from Christ's head and the dark blue background link the present painting to the earlier Salvator Mundi.
In all three, the artist's work is evident in the subtle modeling of the flesh tones, which recalls Leonardo's sfumato, in the characteristic facial structure of Christ, in the fine brushstroke, and in the serenity and mysticism that characterize so many of Quinten Massys' religious paintings.
