This oil on panel painting from the 17th century, probably from the Italian school, depicts a rather rare subject in art: a prisoner being prepared for torture. This non-gory depiction of torture shows a landscape with a sunset sky over low hills in the background. The prisoner, his clothes torn, is dragged by soldiers towards the torture pole, for the torture of the 'Strappado', while a guard prepares the instrument. On the left we see a pot-bellied commander giving orders to the crew with his hand. Dimensions of the work (including frame) 70-55 cm, and of the panel 56-41 cm. It has some restorations due to the typical cracks that appear on antique wooden boards, visible in the photos. It has an old wax seal bearing the inscription 'Presidency of Fine Arts' with the Savoy coat of arms, indicating that the work came from some museum or an important Italian public collection. The frame is new in classical antique style. Please feel free to write to me if you have any questions about this painting. A certificate of origin and authenticity is available.
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BRONZE Seller in Noord Holland, Netherlands
