Christ carrying the cross. Mezzotint by S.W. Reynolds, 1835.

London (16, Hamilton Place, Kings Cross, New Road) : Published for the proprietor by James Bulcock, March 17th. 1835.

1 print : mezzotint, with etching ; image 21.8 x 17 cm

He is despised and rejected of men: a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief. Isaiah. Ch 53 V. 3... Painted by Leonardi da Vinci ; Engraved by S.W. Reynolds, engraver to their Majesties

The composition is attributed in the lettering to Leonardo da Vinci. It was later attributed to circle of Giovanni Bellini: "This work is in turn based on a composition by Bellini (recorded in a painting in the Toledo Art Museum), and was made by a close follower of the artist, perhaps Vincenzo Catena (ca. 14701531)" (website of the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum, 2016)

The British Museum catalogue attributes the mezzotint to S.W. Reynolds the elder, who died on 13 August 1835, a few months after the publication of this print, 1835. He had been appointed portrait engraver to George IV in 1820

Wellcome Collection 2917945i

Apparently after a painting of the same composition subsequently in the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum in Boston. "When Isabella Stewart Gardner purchased the painting in 1896, it was attributed to Giorgione, who was also pupil of Bellini and documented as a colleague of Catena. Even at that time, Gardner was unsure about its authorship, although the paintings strong quality and stirring piety led her to buy it. Bernard Berenson was frankly surprised that Gardner wanted such a strongly religious work. According to Morris Carter, the first director of the museum, the painting was Mrs. Gardners favorite, and she often placed a vase of violets in front of it, a tradition maintained by the museum" (website of the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum, 2016). Its provenance before 1896, or when published by Reynolds, has not been ascertained

Imprint and quotation from Isaiah are taken from the British Museum online catalogue; cropped from the impression catalogued here