Italian Madonna and Child 18th Century

This exquisite painting, resembling a precious jewel, serves as an exceptional illustration of the devotional cabinet paintings created by Giuseppe Maria Crespi, a highly original Bolognese artist during the late 17th and early 18th centuries. Crespi's distinctiveness extended beyond his unique style and technique to the subjects he chose to portray. While his portraits and genre paintings often displayed a light-hearted and even irreverent tone, his treatment of religious themes resonated with deep emotion, even in its most inventive forms. This recently uncovered work by Crespi is a typical representation, invoking the tender connection between mother and child, and the Child's destiny, all within a compact and intimate format. Executed on a small scale, the painting showcases Crespi's remarkable sensitivity and mastery of paint, especially evident in the expressive brushwork of the drapery. The restrained and focused composition of the Holy Family allows for contemplation of the figures. Mary cradles the Christ child gently, seemingly presenting him to the viewer, her gaze knowing as the infant holds a diminutive cross, symbolizing his future crucifixion. Joseph appears in the background, emerging from the left side of the frame, gazing upward with folded hands in prayer. Individual motifs from this painting reappear in other works by Crespi, suggesting a synthesis of familiar elements into a vibrant composition. The artist's revisitation of designs throughout his career is evident, and this painting on copper likely belongs to a later period, reflecting stylistic ties to other works and Crespi's increased production of smaller devotional pieces. Distinguished by its cool palette, bold coloration, and the expressive force of the artist's hand, this Holy Family painting...

17th Century Italian School, wood panel, depicting the return of the prodigal son. Very good condition.

Italian School, 18th century Depicted are the Madonna and Child Jesus, the virgin Mary is holding the Child Jesus lovingly in her arms. The child, lying on a bundle of cloth and with...

Anton Maria Piola (Genoa, 1654 - 1715) circle Madonna and Child Genoese school of the second half of the 17th century Oil on canvas 93 x 74 cm.- In antique frame 110 x 92 cm. (Work with expertise by Dr. Arabella Cifani) In the pleasing work proposed, depicting a classical Nativity scene, the Madonna is immortalised in adoration as she gently holds the sheet on which the Child is lying, with a gesture of protection and pride that facilitates an atmosphere of intimate recollection, in addition to the presence of three cherubs at the top. The stylistic analysis of the canvas can easily be traced back to a painter of the Genoese school and active during the 17th century, specifically with the devotional works from the workshop of Domenico Piola (Genoa, 1627-1703), an absolute protagonist of Genoese Baroque culture. Piola was the owner of the most important city painting workshop of the time, known as 'Casa Piola', where his sons Paolo Gerolamo and Anton Maria also collaborated. His production, which specialised in a type of highly decorative, profane and allegorical paintings, destined for the decoration of Genoese patrician palaces, also included a refined series of works of a religious nature. In particular, the style of our beautiful breast painting...