Offered by Antichità Castelbarco
Roman School of the late 17th century
From Guido Reni (Bologna 1575 - 1642)
Saint Michael Archangel
oil on copper
cm. 32 x 20
in an antique frame 43 x 32 cm
Executed in oil on copper around the end of the 17th century, the proposed painting recalls the iconography of the famous St. Michael the Archangel painted by Guido Reni in 1635 for the Church of the Capuchins, in Via Veneto in Rome, erected by donation of Cardinal Antonio Barberini (1569-1646), brother of Urban VIII.?
After a long and intense training in Bologna, 27-year-old Guido Reni went to Rome in 1602, soon becoming a celebrated interpreter of the tastes of the most culturally influential circles, and winning the protection of great personalities such as Popes Paul V, Urban VIII and Scipione Borghese.
The work shows the Archangel Michael engaged in the battle against Evil, portrayed as a statuesquely handsome youth, strong and delicate at the same time, who, with his large wings spread and an imposing deep blue breastplate with a red cloak, wields his sword against the rebel angel, lying at his feet in the flames of hell.
The soft draperies envelop the angel's body with an intense classicism, where a balanced composition focuses the viewer's attention to his angelic face.
Great was the recognition and esteem of contemporaries for this painting, and the painting was immediately an incredible success, so much so that numerous contemporary authors replicated its composition to satisfy the requests of collectors of the time, who wanted to possess their own version of the Barberini altarpiece, commissioners of the canvas.
Given the period of its execution and its quality, we can state that the proposed ramino is the work of an artist presumably active in Rome in the second half of the 17th century.
The conservation condition of the work appears to be very good, with restorations.?
Delevery information :
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We take great care We personally take care of the packaging, to which we devote a great deal of care: each work is carefully packed, first with arti- cle material, then with a custom-made wooden box.
Should you have the desire to see this or other works in person, we would be happy to welcome you to our gallery in Riva del Garda, Viale Giuseppe Canella 18, we are always open by appointment only.
