Christ Washing the Feet of His Disciples

Oil on panelNicolas Bertin (French, 1668–1736)/1720–30

Description

Nicolas Bertin was primarily a painter of religious, mythological, and allegorical subjects. Although trained in the rigorous French academic traditions, he often emulated the broader style of Titian, Paolo Veronese, and other Venetian Renaissance masters. For his depiction of Christ washing Saint Peter's feet just after the Last Supper (John 13:4-5), Bertin created a majestic, theatrical backdrop reminiscent of those in Veronese's pictures. Through gesture and facial expression Bertin adeptly described a range of emotions, from surprise and puzzlement to humility.

Provenance

Probably a private collection, Lyons [according to Catalogue historique… de M. de Lalive 1764]. Ange Laurent de Lalive de Jully, Paris, by 1757; sold Pierre Remy, Paris, May 7, 1770, no. 65, to Rémy, acting on behalf of the duc de Praslin, for 1,050 livres [according to annotated sale catalogue in Frick Art Reference Library, New York; see also Bailey 1988, p. xlvii]; probably César Gabriel de Choiseul, duc de Praslin (d. 1785), Paris, by descent to Louis César Renaud de Choiseul, vicomte de Choiseul (d. 1791); by descent to César Hippolyte de Choiseul, comte de Choiseul-Praslin; sold A. J. Paillet, Paris, February 18 and following, 1793, no. 152, to Clysorius for 800 livres [see annotated sale catalogue in the Frick Art Reference Library, New York and Lefrançois 1981, p. 114]. Abraham Fontanel, Montpellier [Lefrançois 1981, p. 114]; sold by Fontanel, 1806, to Baron Jacques Joseph de Boussairolles (d. 1814), Château de Mogère, Montpellier for 2,000 livres [according to Lefrançois 1981, p. 114, and Chevalier 1995, pp. 169–177]; by descent to his great-granddaughter, Marie-Claire Boussairolles (d. 1905), who married Charles-Antoine Barthélemy, baron de Saizieu; by descent to Louis-Antoine-Henri Barthélemy, baron de Saizieu; by decent to Joseph, comte de Colbert-Cannet; Chevagnes [according to information sheet provided by Jean Pierre Selz at time of purchase; see also Jeannine Redon, Les Boussairolles. Chronique d’une famille Montpelliéraine sous l’ancien régime et les deux empires, Montpellier 1988, p. 77]; purchased from Colbert-Cannet with Jean Pierre Selz as agent, 1979.

Dimensions

49.5 × 72.1 cm (19 1/2 × 28 3/8 in.)

Source

The Art Institute of Chicago

Movement / Period

18th Century

Accession No

58052

Official Citations

[The Art Institute of Chicago Official Record][Full Resolution Image]

Curatorial Affinity Stream

Continuing the Universe of Nicolas Bertin (French, 1668–1736)

18th Century • France • Harmonious Works & Contemporaries

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