The present lot was painted a year after the artist had moved to London, where he was to stay until his death. Although Hondius is primarely known for his hunting scenes, he painted historical subjects throughout his long career, the earliest of which is dated 1660 (Paulus and Barnabas at Lystra, Private Collection Switzerland; photograph in the R.K.D.). A larger version of the present lot, also signed, was with Sankt Lucas, Vienna, circa 1935 (photograph in the R.K.D.)

The facial expressions and gestures of the men gathered around the protagonists are reminiscent of those in Rembrandts 'Hunderd Guilder Print' and 'Christ before Pilate: Larger Plate' (Bartsch 74 and 77)

See illustration