Representation of a decapitation scene, it is probably the r - Lot 57

Representation of a decapitation scene, it is probably the representation of the decapitation of Saint Paul, unless it is the decollation of Saint John the Baptist, his head collected by an archangel. This fragmentary painting, whose ancient state can testify to the benefits of the restoration that allowed its preservation, also bears witness to the organization in vignettes of the mural paintings of Ethiopian churches or also of the portable polyptych paintings. It is important to note an essential factor, a golden rule, in Ethiopian Christian pictorial art: saints, priests and other biblical characters with a positive significance are represented from the front, and malevolent characters with a negative significance are represented in profile. Ethiopia, 17th or 18th century Painting on canvas, re-mounted on canvas and mounted on a stretcher, old pigments, restoration and missing parts visible. H. 112 cm - L. : 74 cm Provenance: Christiane and Antonin Besse collection since the 1950s, and passed on by descent. Publication: Photographed and visible in the apartment of Christiane and Antonin Besse in L'oeil, #422, January 1990.