Circle of Derick Baegert (German, 1440-1515) Christ before Pilate Oil on panel 33-1/2 x 19-3/4 inches (85.1 x 50.2 cm) PROVENANCE: Private collection; Christie's, New York, April 19, 2007, lot 210; Private collection, Chicago, Illinois, acquired from the above. Little is known about Derick Baegert's early life or training, though stylistic similarities between his work and that of the Utrecht school suggest that he was trained there, and regularly borrowed elements of Netherlandish art. Baegert established a family workshop with his son and nephew, both named Jan, in Wessel during the late-15th to early-16th centuries. Baegert is also recorded as operating briefly in Dortmund, Cologne, and Kalkar. The present work was certainly executed by someone familiar with the Baegert workshop, which had an idiosyncratic manner of organizing figures within a tightly focused, narrow vertical zone. Of particular note is the treatment of texture in the present work. Although the narrative focus is the figure of Christ brought before Pontius Pilate, the armored soldier at far left is perhaps the most striking. The soft highlights bouncing off the articulated sections of plate bring the cold, hard material to life. Just as impressive is the carved stone chair upon which Pilate sits. The grey stone sides depict three-dimensional animal figures, while dramatic almost blood-red marble columns rise from floor to ceiling. The rich detail continues in the elaborate tapestry draped behind Pilate, a lush design of interlaced flowers and leaves, soaring upward and draping above the Roman governor's head. It is quite possible that this work was produced by a member of Baegert's family workshop, perhaps one of the Jans, or a close associate. What is certain, however, is that the artist in question suffered neither from lack of skill nor attention to detail. HID12401132022 © 2024 Heritage Auctions | All Rights Reserved