Christ on the Cross with Saint Anthony of Padua, 17th century

Clemente Sánchez (Spanish school, XVIIth century), c. 1640

A very interesting pictorial-sculptural work from the Spanish Baroque period showing Christ on the cross accompanied by Saint Anthony of Padua and the Child, painted in oil on wood, on a base sculpted in high relief in carved and painted wood. It is a devotional set for private use, perhaps conventual, whose cross has the peculiarity of resting on a carved and polychrome Golgotha hill, presented as a pile of rocks and vegetation, with a skull and small, interesting details such as a lizard on the left and a snake, symbol of the Original Sin, on the right. Another curiosity lies in the double Vanitas: presence of the Adam's skull, painted on the cross next to Saint Anthony, but also in relief, with two crossed bones and a notable presence in the centre of Mount Golgotha.

Although the cross is not signed, it is undoubtedly by Clemente Sánchez (Spanish artist active in the mid XVIIth century), as it has the identical composition and workmanship as a cross sold by the Palau Antiguitats Gallery (Barcelona), signed and dated 1642 by the artist on the base of the cross (Photographs available on request).

It is known that the painter Clemente Sánchez was originally from the area of Aranda de Duero. His work has been found in the Dominicans of Segovia, in Antonio del Real, in the Museum of Lisbon, in the Azores, etc... A similar cross has been found but with an Immaculate Conception and dated 1647 in the Royal Monastery of Santa Clara (Carrión de los Condes), in Palencia.

Condition: Slight paint losses, especially in the crotch area of the Child. Overall good condition.