Christ at the Column, Guido Reni
Guido Reni
Christ at the Column
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Guido Reni

Christ at the Column, ca. 1604


Dimensions
192.7 x 114.4 cm
Physical Description
Canvas
Inventory Number
1103
Acquisition
Acquired in 1875
Status
On display, 2nd upper level, Old Masters, room 11

Texts

About the Work

Christ stands beside the whipping post with his head lowered. He emerges from the darkness, with light and shade modelling every muscle of his body. Resigned to his fate, he awaits the blows of the ruffians who have not yet begun their work. By presenting a close-up view of Christ the artist in a way places the viewer in the position of the executioner's henchmen. Guido Reni had trained initially in Bologna at the academy of the Carracci. He produced the Frankfurt painting soon after moving to Rome; it demonstrates Reni's recent study of the art of Caravaggio. The young painter followed the latter's striving to achieve the direct presence of the figure, but removes any drastic elements in favour of concentrating on the figure of the Son of God. The artist may have created this work for his Roman patron, Cardinal Paolo Emilio Sfondrati, a possibility suggested by the whipping post, which is an exact copy of the one revered to this day in the Basilica S. Prassede. Sfondrati was the protector of the associated monastery and belonged to the circles that showed an increased interest in the ancient relics of early Christianity.

Audio & Video

  • Exhibition “Guido Reni. The Divine” (2022)
    01:40
  • Exhibition “Guido Reni. The Divine” (2022)
    01:14
Researching Reni – Conservation of Guido Reni’s masterpiece “Christ at the Column”
One of the most celebrated artworks by the Italian Baroque painter Guido Reni (1575–1642) is currently in conservation at the Städel Museum. Restorers Lilly Becker and Stephan Knobloch, as well as Bastian Eclercy, curator of the exhibition "GUIDO RENI 'The Divine'", provided insight into the history of the artwork and the conservation, LIVE from the restauration workshop at the Städel Museum. Exhibition: GUIDO RENI “The Divine” 23 November 2022 to 5 March 2023 More information: https://www.staedelmuseum.de/en/exhibitions/guido-reni The conservation is made possible through the support of funding through Bank of America’s Art Conservation Project.

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Last update

10.09.2024