Baldassarre Franceschini "il Volterrano"
(Volterra, 1611 - Florence, 1690) attributed
Oil painting on canvas
Half of 17th century
Lacquered and gilded cassette frame
Canvas 35 x 27 frame 50 x 42
Excellent condition without restorations and repainting
Intense depiction of the suffering Christ with his head crowned with thorns intent on symbolically showing the wound on his side.
It is a small jewel painted in oil on canvas in an excellent way and of great expressive force which dramatically expresses the message of the Passion.
The author, evidently gifted with an excellent hand, is placed in the Tuscan production of the 17th century with evident references to similar works by Carlo Dolci and Guido Reni.
The attribution to Baldassarre Franceschini known as il Volterrano is suggested by Federico Zeri, (the most authoritative historian of ancient painting in Italy), who catalogs a similar painting exhibited in Florence in the Palatine gallery of Palazzo Pitti. (see photo)