Marcellus Coffermans

Anonymous sale, Amsterdam, Christie's, 15 May 2002, lot 97 (as Marcellus Coffermans);

Where acquired by a private collector, Europe;

From whom acquired, 2020.

M. Leeflang, "Gemaakt in Antwerpen, bestemd voor Spanje?" in Catharijne, Magazine van Museum Catharijneconvent Utrecht 2 (2010), p. 11, reproduced.

Utrecht, Museum het Catherijneconvent, long-term loan, 2010 - 2020.

Marcellus Coffermans spent his career in Antwerp, where he operated a thriving workshop specializing in devotional panels and small-scale altarpieces, such as the present work. The composition, executed circa 1570, closely relates to his Crucifixion triptych—depicting the Road to Golgotha and the Deposition of Christ on the lateral wings—now in the Museo Lázaro Galdiano, Madrid (inv. no. 2681). As was characteristic of his artistic approach, Coffermans drew on fifteenth-century Flemish and German prototypes, including Rogier van der Weyden’s celebrated Descent from the Cross in the Museo del Prado, Madrid (inv. no. P002825). Although it remains unknown whether Coffermans ever traveled to Spain, his work was highly sought after there already during his lifetime and remains well-represented in Spanish collections.