The Lamentation with the Prophet Daniel and St Peter: M.1-1926

Titles

The Lamentation with the Prophet Daniel and St Peter

Maker(s)

Reymond, Pierre (Maker)
After Raimondi, Marcantonio (Printmaker)

Description

Copper, polychrome enamels, and gilding. The Lamentation over the Dead Christ flanked by the Prophet Daniel and St Peter

Three slightly convex plaques with a white preparation, enamelled in blue, turquoise, green, flesh pink, mulberry, tan, brown, grey, black, and white, and gilded. The reverse has clear counter-enamel.
The central plaque shows the three Marys and the Virgin grieving over the dead Christ with St John standing on the right beside a tree, accompanied by an elderly bearded man, and a partly visible clean-shaven man, probably Joseph of Armimathea and Nicodemus; on the left, behind the Marys, is a partly visible bald-headed man. In the landscape background there are rocks and a tree on the left, and on the right, on Golgotha, a man, three crosses and a ladder propped against the one vacated by Christ. The sky is scattered with stars.
The Virgin wears a white wimple, a blue dress and blue cloak. The Mary to the left of her is dressed in a turquoise dress and pale brown cloak. The one nearest to her on the right wears a turquoise hat and dress, and the Mary further to the right, a green swathed cap and a tan dress. St John has a blue cloak over a mulberry gown. Joseph of Aramathea has a turquoise turban, and blue gown, and Nicodemus a blue hat and a turquoise jacket with a collar. The man on the left is dressed in a blue coat with a collar. In the foreground there are three turquoise plants on the green ground. Gold is used for the hair of Christ, two Marys and St John, to outline the edges of some of the garments, and ADD On the left wing, the prophet Daniel stands on a hexagonal platform in a niche below an ornate canopy. He faces front, with his head in profile to the right, and holds a scroll inscribed in black,"O VOS.O(M)NES I.TRANSITIS.PERVIAM. ATENDITE.ET VIDETE. SI. EST. DOLOR.SIMI" (sic, the ending should be SICUT DOLOR MEUS) (O all of you who travel by the road, wait and see if there is such sorrow). He is bearded, and wears a greyish-turquoise turban, a gown of the same colour, and a blue cloak. The platform, niche, and canopy are tan with gilded details. The sides of the platform have two panels carved with nude figures, flanking one carved with two foliated scrolls terminating in monster heads. The canopy has a winged putto's head in the gable, and on the sides, three panels of nude figures. Above the gable there are pairs of foliated scrolls and at the top, divided by the apex of the gable,"15 P"and "R 38" inscribed in gold. The wall of the niche are scattered with fleur-de-lys, and level with the figure head have a cornice inscribed "DANIEL PROFETE"
On the right wing, an apostle, probably St Peter, stands in an analogous niche. He is shown in profile stepping towards the left holding a scroll inscribed "CHRISTVS. PASSVS. EST PRO. NOBIS.VOBIS RELINQVENS EXEMPLUN" (sic the last letter should be M)(Christ suffered for us, leaving for you an example). He is bald-headed and bearded, and wears a a long blue gown with a turquose shawl round his shoulders. The front of the platform is decorated with two panels carved with nude figures flanking one carved with a pair of foliated cornucopia. The gable of the canopy has a reclining putto, and on the sides below are two panels carved with reclining figures flanking one with two putti supporting a shield inscribed "Ihs". Above there are pairs of foliated scrolls and in the top corners "P" and "R" in gold. The niche are scatteed with groups of four dots on the right, and ? cross-hatched on the left, and at the top have a cornice decorated with a row of circles instead of an inscription.

Notes

History note: William Beckford (1760–1844), Fonthill Abbey; probably the triptych mentioned in catalogue of the cancelled sale, Magnificent Effects at Fonthill Abbey Wilts. to be sold by auction by Mr. Christie, 1 October 1822 and nine following days, p. 12, lot 87; by descent to Susan, Duchess of Hamilton, née Beckford (1786–1859), and her husband, Alexander, 10th Duke of Hamilton (1767–1852); by descent to the 12th Duke of Hamilton (1845–95); sold Christie’s, 17 June - 20 July 1882, Catalogue of the Collection of Pictures, Works of Art, and Decorative Objects the Property of His Grace the Duke of Hamilton, K.T., lot 971 (£1,218); W. Wareham; John Edward Taylor (1830–1905); his widow, Martha (d. 1912); Christie’s, 1-4 and 9-10 July 1912, Catalogue of the Renowned Collection of Works of Art . . . formed by the late John Edward Taylor, day 1, lot 142; Durlacher Bros, London; the Right Hon. Frederick Leverton Harris.

Legal notes

Given by F. Leverton Harris