Interesting and rare painting originally part of a tabernacle for domestic use, for which this panel served as a door for the enclosing shutters, as evidenced by the small holes for hinges on the right side of the painting.
This Saint Jerome was painted by a skilled pupil or assistant of Pietro di Cristoforo, known as Perugino, as can be inferred from the unmistakable style of the master born in Città della Pieve in 1446.
It is plausible that this small panel was produced between the late 15th century and the very early years of the 16th century, when Vannucci, at the height of his highly appreciated art, maintained two workshops, one in Perugia and one in Florence, which housed a forge of artists closely linked to the master's figurative compositions, contributing to the wide dissemination of his artistic canons.
It is not easy to venture an attribution, as numerous artists succeeded each other under Vannucci's employment or apprenticeship, as was the case in Perugia, with Andrea di Assisi known as "l'Ingegno," Giannicola di Paolo, Antonio da Viterbo known as "il Pastura," etc.
Certainly, the qualities of this painting allow for it through precise study of sources and careful stylistic analysis.
In fact, it is plausible that it is the work of these faithful assistants just mentioned, but let us recall the numerous works in the Peruginesco sphere attributed to excellent painters who, unfortunately, remained anonymous and who, even before the workshop in Perugia, contributed to disseminating the master's taste and style.
Stylistic affinities are indeed observed with works attributed to the so-called Master of the Greenville Tondo, whom scholars hypothesize to be an artist of Tuscan descent who, following his Florentine apprenticeship with Pietro Vannucci, produced numerous devotional works for ecclesiastical and private commissions between Tuscany and Umbria, reaching as far as Campania in his late activity. It was scholars Everett Fahy and Federico Zeri who grouped about thirty works known to them under this name.
Oil on panel executed between the 15th and 16th centuries. Circa 1500.
The painting is in excellent condition. Height 65cm x 20cm width.
The attribution of the painting was conducted by Dr. Marco Bompadre, who is willing to provide expertise if interested.
We attach a historical certificate of authenticity to the sale.
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