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Girolamo Maria Pesci
Girolamo Maria Pesci (Rome, 1679 - 1759), The judgment of Paris

18th 18th Century

$10,779.66
£7,988.32
€9,000
CA$14,716.28
A$16,371.26
CHF 8,582.02
MX$200,052.81
NOK 109,281.32
SEK 102,873.24
DKK 68,525.21
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About the Item

Girolamo Maria Pesci (Rome, 1679 - 1759) The judgment of Paris c. 1705-1710 Oil on canvas, 47 x 36.5 cm Girolamo Maria Pesci (Rome, 1679 - 1759), a figure distinguished for his extraordinary ability to reconcile classicist rigor with the grace and lightness of the nascent Rococo, left a significant imprint on the artistic landscape of the eighteenth century Latium. Born in Rome, Pesci took his first steps within the workshop of the celebrated Carlo Maratta, from whom he learned the solid principles of drawing and a profound knowledge of classical art. However, his artistic sensibility soon led him away from pure Marattian classicism, and he was fascinated by the style of Francesco Trevisani. From Trevisani, Pesci acquired the "lightness, expressive delicacy and distinct pictorialism" that would characterize much of his production. This combination of Marattian firmness of drawing and Trevisanesque softness of color allowed him to develop a personal, elegant and refined language that garnered much acclaim in 18th-century Rome. His activity was mainly focused on religious and private commissions. He executed numerous altarpieces for churches in various locations, including Rome, Filettino, Zagarolo, Turin, and Bassano. His most significant works include the Immaculate Conception with St. Augustine and St. John the Evangelist for the church of Santa Maria delle Grazie in Zagarolo, and several works also sent abroad, such as a Madonna for Oxford and a Bath of Callisto for Wilton in England. In addition to sacred works, Pesci also devoted himself to mythological and allegorical subjects, often destined for private collections, including, among others, a Diana and Actaeon signed and dated 1738. At this juncture, his style became even more intimate and decorative, enriched with landscape details, flowers, and garlands that gave the canvases a pleasant and refined atmosphere. In 1716, Girolamo Pesci was welcomed among the members of the Virtuosi al Pantheon, a prestigious recognition that testifies to his growing fame and appreciation for his artistic talents. He continued to work assiduously for distinguished patrons, including the Pallavicini family, for whom he made three ovals with sacred subjects for the church of Santa Balbina in Rome, and the powerful Rospigliosi family. Girolamo Pesci died in Rome in 1759, leaving an artistic legacy that well represents the transition between Baroque and Rococo, capable of combining compositional solemnity with a more airy sensibility and a brighter color palette. His works are now preserved in museums and private collections, testifying to his ability to create paintings of great beauty and emotional impact. The canvas presented here by way of unpublished depicts the well-known mythological episode of the Judgement of Paris: the son of the Trojan king Priam is caught handing over the coveted golden apple to Venus, goddess of love and fertility, crowning her as the most beautiful goddess on Olympus, while Minerva and Juno walk away disgruntled and bitter at not having been chosen in their turn. The figures are arranged in friezes along the work's horizontal format, dislocated in space with a certain ease, distinguished by sturdy, pinging anatomies, ample cloths of velvety texture. The palette is enlightened, the execution guarded and shrewd. Precise comparisons with ascertained works by Girolamo Pesci allow our work to be referred to him: placing it next to the ceiling for Sant'Onofrio al Gianicolo in Rome and the Baptism of Christ formerly Wannenes (May 26, 2015, lot no. 16, oil on canvas, 74x61 cm), the same physiognomies recur-the Venus and the allegory of Faith, Minerva with St. John the Baptist-the pinging anatomies and the rich cloths with consistent folds, of a certain plastic relief. Because of the references to the Marattesque côté, I consider our Judgment of Paris an early work in Girolamo Pesci's career, datable to around 1705-1710.
  • Creator:
    Girolamo Maria Pesci (Italian)
  • Creation Year:
    18th 18th Century
  • Dimensions:
    Height: 18.51 in (47 cm)Width: 14.18 in (36 cm)
  • More Editions & Sizes:
    47x36Price: $10,780
  • Medium:
  • Period:
  • Condition:
  • Gallery Location:
    Milan, IT
  • Reference Number:
    1stDibs: LU2639216689742

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