(Seligenstadt am Main c. 1435 – 1494 Bruges), workshop of
The Blessing Christ, with a trigram on the verso, oil on panel, 46.5 x 34 cm, framed

Provenance: formerly Roman Noble Collection

We thank Dr. Everett Fahy,  formerly The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York., who has cited the present painting in the catalogue of the exhibition Firenze e gli antichi Paesi Bassi 1430 - 1530, Florence in 2008, (cat.  p.210, nr.50). Fahy confirms Prof. Federico Zeri’s opinion that the present work is an autograph work by Hans Memling (written communication, 29th Sept. 2010)

Literature: Comp. Dirk De Vos, Monographie „Memling“ Kat. no. 58.

Certificate: In a letter of 22 February 1989 to the Italian owner of the painting, Federico Zeri stated “Judging from the reproduction, it becomes clear to me that this is a variation of the panel (by Memling) in Genoa, which I consider to be the prototype of the various compositions. The example preserved in Philadelphia, which I know very well, is inferior, while all the other versions date from a later period…” Prof. Zeri points out the special meaning of the trigram on the reverse side of the panel: “What is very interesting about your work is the trigram. It would have to be examined with regard to mystical movements and brotherhoods in Flanders…” (text available in photocopy; translated from Italian).

We are grateful to Dr. Werner Telesko for identifying the symbolism.

Provenance: formerly Roman Noble Collection Literature: Comp. Dirk De Vos, Monographie „Memling“ Kat. no. 58. Certificate: In a letter of 22 February 1989 to the Italian owner of the painting, Federico Zeri stated “Judging from the reproduction, it