Bolognese School, Early 17th Century
Circle of Giovanni Battista Ramenghi, called Il Bagnacavallo (Bologna, 1521 – 1601)
Holy Family with Saint John the Baptist
Oil on canvas (86 x 72 cm. - With antique frame 107 x 93 cm.)
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This interesting painting depicts one of the most widespread iconographic subjects in Christian tradition, presented here according to an ancient and tested scheme that shows the Virgin in prayer and the sleeping Child at the center of a tender devotional representation, completed by the presence of Saint Joseph, on the right, placidly leaning on his staff.
To enrich this canonical Holy Family, the young Saint John the Baptist appears on the right, who, as if addressing the viewer directly, makes a gesture of silence with his hands so as not to disturb the sleeping child and to invite contemplation of the scene with devotion.
Regarding the stylistic characteristics of our canvas, it is easy to perceive the predominant influences of Bolognese painting, and in particular the relationship with the works of one of the greatest artists of the High Renaissance, Giovan Battista Ramenghi.
The solid and clear volumes, the physiognomic features, the geometrically defined drapery, and the gestural eloquence of the figures, as well as the clear composition in space, undoubtedly allow us to approach its execution to his pictorial style, although a more analytical view of the more synthetic solutions in the rendering of the figures leads us more prudently to consider the canvas as a valid work by an author from his circle, to be placed in the early 17th century.
The painting presents one of the favorite themes of the Bolognese painter, or more likely of his patrons, and frequently reproduced by his workshop, albeit with constantly different compositional inventions. In our version, we can identify all the elements that contributed to defining his formal culture: from the underlying classicism to the monumental balance of the group, with a Bolognese heritage, to the clear reference to Raphael in the figure of Saint Joseph, up to the refinement of the Tuscan-Roman Mannerism that inspired the colors.
The excellent state of preservation allows for full appreciation of the splendid scene, capturing all its pictorial and chromatic peculiarities, with the pleasant and uniform craquelure that characterizes the entire surface.
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ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:
The work is sold complete with a pleasant frame and accompanied by a certificate of authenticity and a descriptive iconographic sheet.
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