This early 20th-century oil on canvas is a study of an altarpiece by Peter Paul Rubens (1577-1640), which he produced for the church of Sint-Peter en Pauluskerk in Flanders (Belgium).

Today, the original resides in the Royal Museums of Fine Arts in Brussels.

Over the years, numerous artists have travelled across Europe to study the old masters. Here, we see the artist considering composition and tone. Absent of detail, they focus on the muscular forms as the typically Rubenesque figures tumble around a symbolic pyramid of drama.

Christ carrying the cross to calvary was often depicted during the baroque period. In this version, Rubens follows tradition and relies on the account in Luke 23:26-27 and 32 with particular emphasis placed upon St Veronica who wipes blood from Christ’s brow.

Medium: Oil on canvas
Overall size: 18” x 28” / 46cm x 71cm
Year of creation: c. 1910
Condition: Old repairs and abrasions. One tear towards the bottom. Light craquelure but the paint is stable. It's plausible that the artist reused an older canvas dating to circa 1850.