St. Joseph, Lombard School Of The 17th Century

Lombard School of the 17th century
St. Joseph with Flower Stick

Oil on oval canvas
92 x 70 cm.
In antique frame 106 x 85 cm.

The work shows us an intense image of St. Joseph, portrayed according to the classical iconography that sees him as a mature man holding in his hands a staff from which lilies bloom, symbol of the Virgin's purity.

This iconographic attribute also alludes to his figure as God's chosen one as Mary's future husband. According to the apocryphal gospels, the Virgin had grown up in the Temple of Jerusalem, following a monastic lifestyle, and when she reached marriageable age, each of the suitors was given a dry branch, awaiting a divine sign: the only one that bloomed was that of Joseph, who in our painting holds it in his left hand.

In his hands he holds a book, presumably the First Gospel, in the first pages of which is the narration of his betrothal to Mary.

The work, belonging to the 17th-century Lombard school, shows strong affinities with the style of the famous master Carlo Francesco Nuvolone (Milan, 1609 - 1662), with a style characterised by great expressive force, albeit characterised by a soft drafting, playing on delicate nuances and chromatic tones, and also characterised by a noticeable softness of light.

This work is a perfect example of Nuvolone's ability to render the softness and flamboyance of the complexion of the face and chest, with the delicate fingers tapering as they hold the gospel, as well as the vaporous hair and beard.