Dormant Venus with Cupid, Marcantonio Franceschini (Bologna 1648 - 1729) Workshop of

Marcantonio Franceschini (Bologna 1648 - 1729) Workshop of Dormant Venus with Cupid Oil on canvas (53 x 68 cm. - Framed 71 x 91 cm.) Complete details of the painting (click HERE) Venus, the Roman goddess of love, is portrayed lying down, completely nude, languidly sleeping with both arms behind her head; standing beside her is her son Cupid, the god of desire, pointing at something off-camera. The seductive image is presented in a hilly setting, in perfect harmony with nature, and in a moderately sensual and dreamlike atmosphere: her nudity and pose symbolize ideal beauty; she rests on drapes of white and red, symbolic colors that indicate the coexistence of pure Platonic love (the white sheet covering her pubic area) and passionate love (the red cushion). This is a work of great charm, both for the subject immortalized and for the pictorial execution, showing us the peculiar characteristics of the Bolognese school, highlighting a quality of application and drawing that suggests an eighteenth-century date of execution. The work captures the Rococo sensibility declining into careful classicist rigor, also presenting lexical elements derived from early seventeenth-century culture typical of Domenichino and Francesco Albani; our painting draws inspiration precisely from a work by the latter, specifically "Adonis led by Venus and the Loves," created in 1621 by Albani for the Duke of Mantua (Paris, Musée du Louvre, inv. 12, https://collections.louvre.fr/en/ark:/53355/cl010062424). In our case, the author extracted the detail of Venus with Cupid (in the lower right of the original composition). Delving into the attribution, we can easily connect the canvas, created in the early 18th century, to the workshop of the master Marcantonio Franceschini (Bologna 1648 - 1729), who often engaged with lexical elements derived from early seventeenth-century culture, particularly from Francesco Albani, achieving a classicist sensibility of the highest refinement. The pictorial fabric, the analysis of forms, the scenic composition, the types of faces, and some Morellian details find evident points of contact and comparison with the artist's best work, who proved to be one of the best interpreters of Bolognese art between the 17th and 18th centuries. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The painting is sold complete with a pleasant frame and is accompanied by a certificate of authenticity and a descriptive iconographic sheet. We handle and organize the transport of purchased works, both within Italy and abroad, through professional and insured carriers. In case of purchase by non-Italian customers, an export permit will be required, which takes approximately 10/20 days. Our gallery will handle the entire process until its acquisition. All costs for this procedure are included. Should you wish to see this or other works in person, we would be pleased to welcome you to our new gallery in Riva del Garda, at Viale Giuseppe Canella 18. We look forward to seeing you! Contact us for any information or to arrange a visit, we will be happy to assist you. Follow us also on : https://www.instagram.com/galleriacastelbarco/?hl=it https://www.facebook.com/galleriacastelbarco/