Genre Scene Painting - The Monks' Meal

Oil on canvas. Genoese School, 18th century. Inside a large room with arched windows opening onto the street, a group of monks seated on the floor are sharing a simple meal, laid out on a white cloth. The scene is reminiscent of the work of Alessandro Magnasco, known as "il Lissandrino" (1667-1749), a Genoese artist considered one of the most original Italian painters of the 18th century. He distinguished himself in genre painting of popular life, particularly in depicting scenes of the lives of Capuchin or Camaldolese monks engaged in various activities, from studying in the library to confessing, from working as knife grinders or carpenters in the convent workshops to simple contemplation around the fire. In these works, one can appreciate the full expressive freedom of the artist's brushwork, which moves across the canvas with rapid strokes to depict flames, chimneys, cats, books, dogs, humble bowls, lenses, books, patched-up humble garments, chairs, and stools – in short, a whole daily world of gestures and objects constructed with a very particular and unmistakable technique, made of a lively impasto of color, almost entirely played out in monochrome, upon which a few, skillful touches of light descend to give shape and substance to the gaunt figures of the monks. The author of the work presented here undoubtedly trained in Magnasco's circle and was inspired by his style, although it appears more restrained, without the flourishes and interpretative liberties, often desacralizing or ironic, towards the figures of the monks. They skillfully recaptured the interplay of chiaroscuro, of light and shadow, spewing forth from a monochrome in shades of brown, nevertheless achieving a work of excellent pictorial quality. Restored and relined, the painting is presented in a gilded frame from the early 20th century. Product condition: Product in good condition, shows minor signs of wear. Frame dimensions (cm): Height: 75 Width: 90 Depth: 6 Artwork dimensions (cm): Height: 57 Width: 73 ARARPI0132200