Lot Essay
The dimensions of our painting conform precisely to those of the painting in the Cayeux collection which was sold in 1769, and its pendant 'Saint John the Baptist' (formerly Galerie Pardo, Paris). Another version of the 'Noli me Tangere' (25 3/8 x 19 1/4in.) is in the New Orleans Museum of Art. Until the discovery of the present painting, the New Orleans version was thought to have been the Cayeux painting, and that the difference in the dimensions were accidental.
According the Van Loo's first biographer, the history painter and author Michel-François Dandre-Bardon, Van Loo painted a 'Noli Me Tangere' in 1735, one year after he returned to Paris after a seven-year stay in Italy (loc. cit.). The sculptor Cayeux had a collection made up almost exclusively of religious paintings by 18th century French artists including four other works by Van Loo, and he likely commissioned the pair directly from the artist.
A large scale painted copy, after the engraving and so with the figures in reverse, is in the church of Saint-Louis-en-l'Ile, Paris.
According the Van Loo's first biographer, the history painter and author Michel-François Dandre-Bardon, Van Loo painted a 'Noli Me Tangere' in 1735, one year after he returned to Paris after a seven-year stay in Italy (loc. cit.). The sculptor Cayeux had a collection made up almost exclusively of religious paintings by 18th century French artists including four other works by Van Loo, and he likely commissioned the pair directly from the artist.
A large scale painted copy, after the engraving and so with the figures in reverse, is in the church of Saint-Louis-en-l'Ile, Paris.