The Announcing Angel, Bartolomé Román (Montoro, c. 1587 – Madrid, 1647)

The Announcing Angel Workshop of Vincenzo Carducci, known in Spain as Vicente Carducho (Florence, 1576 – Madrid, 1638) Attributable to Bartolomé Román (Montoro, c. 1587 – Madrid, 1647) Oil on canvas 110 x 80 cm. - Antique gilded wood frame 138 x 108 cm. Notes: On the bottom of the canvas the inscription: 'Magna refert mariae supremi iussa tonanti, Gabiel aligeri gloria prima chori' ('The winged angel Gabriel, the primary glory of the choir, reports to Mary the supreme commands of the thundering God') refers to the moment of the Annunciation. The work presented, characterized by refined sacredness, depicts the Archangel Gabriel full-length as he is about to deliver the supreme announcement to the Virgin, offering her the customary white lilies, symbols of purity and chastity: it is a splendid subject, executed with great stylistic quality, probably commissioned for private use and therefore particularly pleasing and easy to place. The Angel takes the appearance of a young man of rare beauty, with delicate features, wrapped in a light, draped tunic with golden details on the chest and elaborate greaves that encircle his calves, reflecting the Andalusian late-Renaissance and Baroque painterly fashion inspired by Titian's models. Everything is imbued with intense classicism, where a balanced composition directs the viewer's attention to his angelic face. Based on these characteristics, we can attribute paternity to the painter Bartolomé Román (Montoro, circa 1587 – Madrid, 1647), an important Spanish painter of the early Baroque period, famous for his mastery of religious subjects and his monumental cycles of archangels; he worked mainly in Madrid, deeply influenced by the Counter-Reformation. He was one of the most brilliant disciples of the Tuscan master Vincenzo Carducci, from whom he assimilated a taste for balanced compositions and imposing figures, but he also perfected his art in close contact with Diego Velázquez, whose naturalistic influence can be felt in various works of his mature period. His main contribution to art history lies in the development of pictorial cycles dedicated to the Seven Archangels and Guardian Angels, from which our painting is a clear derivation, both in terms of compositional and stylistic choices. During the 17th century, devotion to these celestial figures experienced a strong revival in Spain, and the painter codified a successful iconography in which angels were depicted full-length, with richly detailed clothing and specific attributes (flowers, censers, or swords), often with a naturalistic setting in the background. We see in his works an artistic language built on a beautiful fusion between the demands of Italian Renaissance art theory and those arising from its practice in Madrid during the Baroque era. His creations constituted an absolute reference model, a paradigm of a balanced yet surprising pictorial style in all its components (drawing, color, composition, iconography), making him an undisputed point of reference in the Spanish artistic scene. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: The painting is complete with a pleasant antique 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. Should you wish to see this or other works in person, we will be happy 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/