NEW YORK—The luminous, silk sleeve hangs over Christ’s arm, revealing tired hands that grip the cross. The consummate shading creates a crevasse between the elegant folds, capturing its volume, his movement, and the essence of the moment, as Christ carries the cross toward his death.
“Christ Carrying the Cross” was painted by Girolamo Romanino (1484/1487–1560), a prominent painter of the north Italian school. The 16th-century piece was the top-selling painting at the Christie’s auction on June 6 in New York.
It sold for $4,562,500, over its $2.5 million to $3.5 million estimate. But, perhaps its story is more remarkable than its price.
