Christ Blessing by Quinten Metsys

by Maximiliaan Martens

Christ Blessing by the Netherlandish master Quinten Metsys, the subject of this volume, is generally regarded as his earliest known autograph treatment of this subject and a key work for the understanding of his early career. Executed in the 1490s, the painting reinterprets a devotional model rooted in the tradition established by Robert Campin, while introducing a renewed artistic language distinguished by heightened naturalism, technical sophistication and spiritual intensity.

For many decades, the panel remained largely unnoticed in an English church. Only in 2006 was it recognised as an authentic work by Metsys. Subsequent technical and art-historical investigations have demonstrated that it originally formed part of a larger devotional ensemble with the Virgin in Adoration. The two were likely separated during the nineteenth century. Now preserved in the Klesch Collection, Christ Blessing represents a discovery of exceptional significance. Beyond restoring an important work to the artist’s œuvre, the publication provides valuable new evidence for the study of Metsys’ early artistic development and contributes to our understanding of the evolution of Netherlandish painting.