Pedro Sánchez de Ezpeleta (1557-1637)
THE CRUCIFIXION, miniature on vellum signed and dated by Pedro Sánchez de Ezpeleta [Zaragoza], 1596
An exceptional, recently discovered work by the Aragonese painter, illuminator and calligrapher Pedro Sánchez de Ezpeleta: a keystone both for the reconstruction of his career as a miniaturist, and for the wider study of 16th-century Spanish court illumination.

Only two other signed works confidently attest to Ezpeleta's career as an illuminator: a preparatory sketch of the Christ child carrying a cross (Álbum Alcubierre, Juan Abelló collection), and a signed coat of arms in an autograph manuscript listing inscriptions for a series of paintings commissioned for Filippo Ariosto (Madrid, Biblioteca Nacional de España, MS 588). Documentary evidence shows that in 1585 Ezpeleta was instructed by the Philip II of Spain's chaplain, García de Loaysa, to produce an abecedarium for the Infante, and a stand-alone miniature depicting the Virgin. He was further engaged to work as scribe and illuminator for a series of choirbooks for the Monastery of San Lorenzo de El Escorial. To date, although his work as a scribe has been well documented, there have been almost no studies on his output as an illuminator (for one important publication on the subject see E. De Laurentiis, 'Giulio Clovio y la “escuela escurialense” de iluminación', Goya. Revista de arte, 350 (2015), pp. 3-27).

The present miniature, influenced by the flamboyant style of Giulio Clovio, is awash with high Renaissance drama: the swirling, ominous purple clouds in the background; Christ's fluttering perizoma; the gesticulating John the Evangelist in the foreground. Although it is possible that the miniature could have come from a manuscript Missal, it seems more likely that — like the miniature of the Virgin commissioned for Philip II — this was a stand-alone production.

Provenance:
•Private collection, London.

235 x 175mm. Pasted down and mounted.

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