Dead Christ

An expert in portraits and genre scenes, Giuseppe Molteni deceives and amazes the observer of this painting with his technical skills: the monochrome paintwork perfectly simulates the techniques of the bas relief and imitates the style of the sculptures with angels bearing the symbols of the passion that are in the stupendous frame. The latter, carved by the school of Brustolon, is in ebonized wood and harmonises beautifully with the grey pink tones of the painting.
The work was commissioned by Gian Giacomo Poldi Pezzoli from Giuseppe Molteni in 1855 and exhibited at the annual Brera exhibition the same year. It was made specifically for Gian Giacomo’s bedroom, created between 1851 and 1854, and, as the painting by Luigi Bisi of the room testifies, it was hung to one side of the great bed carved by Giuseppe Ripamonti.
L.G.
H.G.