Slate Landscape Paintings

Mary Magdalene Roman classicism of the 17th century Circle of Gian Domenico Cerrini (Perugia, 1609 - Rome, 1681) Oil on slate 54.5 x 47.5 cm. Framed 74 x 68 cm. A female character who has always been a favorite in art for her often contrasting faces, Mary Magdalene is beautifully portrayed here according to the canons of ideal beauty imposed by the classicism of the early 17th century With his hands he holds the ampoule of ointment (Maddalena mirrofora), its typical iconographic element, which the sinner used to perfume the feet of Jesus, who also refers to the episode of the discovery of the resurrection, when Mary went to the sepulcher for sprinkle the body of the Messiah with perfumed balm. Our Maddalene fully reflects the canons of classicism, whose aesthetic ideals tended to idealize the subjects portrayed: the Saint is in fact rendered with a classic pose, almost like an ancient statue, her hair neatly lifted by the wind and an ethereal expression, as well as the his white face. In particular, the work recalls, for style and compositional taste, the compositions of the Perugian Giovanni Domenico Cerrini, one of the most distinguished exponents of Roman classicism, and among the main collaborators of Guido Reni in his workshop in Rome. According to various sources, he would have also worked for Domenichino, until he himself acquired an independent artistic personality in Rome. Enjoying soon the favors of the Roman patrician families Spada and Rospigliosi, in particular thanks to the cardinals Bernardino Spada and Giulio Rospigliosi, Cerrini soon achieved great success, receiving many positions of the Roman curia and aristocracy. The painting is made in oil on a slate support, according to a widely used technique starting from the first half of the sixteenth century. On a collector level, painting on marble...