Pietro Novelli 17th Century Italian Religious Painting

About the Item

Important oil on canvas painting depicting Saint Peter in prison being freed by the Angel. The original is kept at the Regional Gallery of Palazzo Abatellis in Palermo. It comes from the no longer existing church of San Pietro in Vincoli, which was destroyed by aerial bombardment of Palermo on 7 January 1943. The high quality of the work suggests that it may be an autograph preparatory sketch by the great Sicilian artist Pietro Novelli. The painting is embellished by a wonderful, antique frame with a gilded bronze attachment in the shape of a putto's head. This painting, never before on the market, comes from an Italian important private collection Every item of our Gallery, upon request, is accompanied by a certificate of authenticity issued by Sabrina Egidi official Expert in Italian furniture for the Chamber of Commerce of Rome and for the Rome Civil Courts. Dimensions are frame included Pietro Novelli (March 2, 1603 – August 27, 1647) was an Italian painter of the Baroque period, active mainly in Palermo. Also known as il Monrealese or Pietro "Malta" Novelli to distinguish him from his father, Pietro Antonio Novelli I. He was also nicknamed by contemporaries as the Raphael of Sicily. He was born in Monreale, and died in Palermo. He initially trained with his father, a painter and mosaicist. As a young apprentice he was a fellow pupil with Gerardo Asturino. In 1618, he moved to Palermo and apprenticed with Vito Carrera (1555–1623). His first dated work is from 1626: St. Anthony Abbot for the church of Sant'Antonio Abate in Palermo. The development of his style owed much to Anthony van Dyck, who visited Sicily in 1624 and whose altarpiece, the Madonna of the Rosary in the oratory of Santa Maria del Rosario in Palermo was highly influential for local artists. He was also commissioned works and paintings for many churches in Piana degli Albanesi, and various works to adorn the villas of the Sicilian nobility. Other influences on Novelli were the Caravaggisti or tenebrists active in Naples (for example, Ribera). Novelli also painted for the church of Santa Zita in Monreale, and painted a Marriage of Cana for the refectory of the Benedictines in Monreale. He was injured during the revolution in Palermo in 1647, and died from his wounds. His pupils included Andrea Carreca, Francesco Maggiotto, Francesco Giselli, Michele Blasco, Vincenzo Marchese, Giacomo lo Verde, and Macri da Girgenti. He was also an architect and stage set designer. The dimensions are frame included This artwork is shipped from Rome. Under existing legislation, any artwork in Italy created over 70 years ago by an artist who has died can requires a license for export regardless of the work’s market price. The shipping may require additional handling days to require the license according to the destination of the artwork.

Attributed to:

Pietro Novelli (Artist)

Dimensions:

Height: 22.05 in (56 cm)Width: 18.9 in (48 cm)Depth: 1.97 in (5 cm)

Style:

Baroque (Of the Period)

Materials and Techniques:

Bronze,Canvas,Wood

Place of Origin:

Italy

Period:

17th Century

Date of Manufacture:

1640 ca.

Condition:

Repaired: The painting was re-lined and shows an ancient restoration with minor repainting and retouches. Refinished. Wear consistent with age and use. Minor fading.

Seller Location:

Roma, IT

Reference Number:

1stDibs: LU4827237724822

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