Gathering of Manna, Oil on Canvas, 17th Century

Allegory of Time. Oil on panel. Circle of Jacob de Backer (act. Antwerp, 1571-1585). Exhibition: “Reality, time and artifice. Still life and vanitas in baro...

Joseph and his brothers. Oil on canvas. Dutch school, based on models by Andriaen Verdoel (Flesingen, circa 1620-1675). Some damages. Oil on canvas depicting a figurative scene in ...

"Wedding of Tethys and Peleus". Oil on canvas. School of Madrid, 17th century. Corte, Juan de la (Antwerp, circa 1585 - Madrid, 1662) circle. This work describes the weddings of the Nereid Thetis and the prince Peleo, parents of Achilles. It was celebrated on Mount Pelion, and all the deities came, although Eris, the goddess of discord, was not invited. In revenge, she threw a golden apple in which she said "for the most beautiful", that caused the dispute between Athena, Aphrodite and Hera that led to the Trial of Paris, to finally bring about the Trojan War. The banquet is depicted with a composition worked in depth, located in a rich interior of classical architecture illuminated by the light of Apollo, which is situated at the far end of the viewer. At the head of the table, in the foreground, appears Zeus, accompanied by the eagle and Hera, queen of the gods, to his left. In the lower right corner we see a group of satyrs serving the wine, accompanied by rich metal vessels worked with a detailed and descriptive brushstroke. The rest of the gods appear clearly differentiated, with Athena in the foreground to the right and, following an agile rhythm in zigzag, typically baroque, Aphrodite with Eros, Hermes and the grooms, to the left, and to the right Poseidon. Formally it is a work perfectly framed within the 17th century school of Madrid, developed around the court. Thus, we see a sumptuous, allegorical classicist baroque, where the studies of light and color are especially relevant, revealing the exalted and luminous tone typical of this school's maturity. In particular, we can relate this painting to the circle of Juan de la Corte, painter of Flemish origin. We know nothing of his first formation today, for Palomino's assertion of his birth in Spain was documented, quoting in his testament that he was born in Antwerp. Also conserved documents in which the painter declares his apprenticeship in Flanders, where "it exerted his office by many years". For all this he has been associated with Flemish artists of the time who, due to personal knowledge or the study of his works, strongly influenced the configuration of his personal language. We know of his establishment in Spain at least since 1613. His work at the court encouraged him to ask for the place of royal painter who left vacant Bartolomé González...

Landscape with classical ruins. Oil on canvas. Attributed to Giner, Vicente (ca. 1636-1681). Reengineered (reentelado in spanish). Landscape with rocks and buildings in the background that presents, in the foreground, constructions with a marked classicist air, accompanied by two female sculptures on two pedestals. At the foot of this building, there is a group of people, dressed in the classic way (women, children and a soldier with a spear). Vicente Giner, canon and artist from Castellón, is documented working in Rome during the last quarter of the seventeenth century (until he died here in 1681), where he requested, together with others, from Carlos II...

oil on canvas German 17th school follower of Johann Hulsman "Gallant Scene" written "Bonhams" in chalk on the stretcher Condition: Presents well, vibrant colours relined probably in...

Pier Francesco Cittadini (Milan, 1616-Bologna, 1681) "Jacob and his family go to Egypt" Oil on canvas, cm 109 x 190 (canvas only) The valuable painting, made in oil on canvas, depicts Jacob and his family go to Egypt and we believe it can be, given the high quality painting, autograph work of Italian Pier Francesco Cittadini (Italy Milan, 1616 - Bologna, 1681) made after 1647. The work, in excellent condition is accompanied by a coeval frame in wood finely carved and golden. The scene depicted, which was confused with the Flight to Egypt in the past years, is instead identified with the biblical episode of Jacob’s journey. In the foreground, reading the painting from left to right, we see a caravan composed of animals, including donkeys, dromedaries, goats, dogs and horses and people, women, men and slaves, who carry on their journey along the banks of a river, following a path that to the right, would seem to lead to the through of a bridge. In addition to the watercourse is described an environment characterized by large rocks and impervious come far to cover the entire verticality of the canvas. On the left, in the distance, we see the tail of the caravan that runs along the steep path. Large trees enliven and harmonize the environment, as well as white and grey clouds characterize the predominantly clear sky and illuminated on the right by sunlight. The story is told in the Bible, Book of Genesis, 30, 25, passage in which is described the flight of Jacob from Haran after the contrasts with Laban, father of his wife Rachel. Jacob is the third great patriarch of the Bible. From his descendants originate the twelve generations of the people of Israel. He is the son of Isaac and Rebekah, who led him to flee from the wrath of Esau to Haran to seek refuge from his brother, Laban. At his uncle’s house Jacob met his daughter Rachel. As soon as he saw his cousin, Jacob was taken. Jacob will stay seven years in the service of Laban to marry his beloved Rachel. But Laban, with a deception, will give him in marriage first Lia, the least beautiful eldest daughter, and only after another seven years the splendid Rachel. From his first wife he will have several children, while Rachel will give birth to the beloved son, Joseph, who will become viceroy of Egypt. After years of service, Jacob asked to be paid with every dark-coloured garment among the sheep and every spotted and dotted garment among the goats. Laban accepted and sent away from his sons all the leaders of that kind. So Jacob took fresh branches of poplar, almond and plane tree, and flayed them, and put them in the troughs. The optical suggestion induced the goats and the sheep to conceive and give birth to dark, striped and dotted garments. He also ensured that all the strongest and healthiest leaders of the flock of Laban would drink near the barked branches, thus assuring a genetic superiority to his part of the flock. His flocks grew numerous and strong and he became richer than his relative, arousing envy. It was clear that Laban would not respect him much longer. At the suggestion of the Lord, Jacob decided to return to Canaan. Trying to avoid any possible dispute, he left with his family while Laban was absent for shearing sheep. But when, three days later, his uncle returned home, he became angry, feeling offended because Jacob had gone secretly and had not allowed him to greet his daughters and grandchildren. In addition, his teraphim, statuettes, or idols, which depicted the family deities, had disappeared. After 7 days of pursuit, Laban and his men reached Jacob’s group on Mount Gilead, in the mountainous region west of the Euphrates River, where his uncle and grandson had a stormy conversation. The younger man was outraged at being accused of stealing idols and told Labano to rummage through his family’s tents at will. Neither of them could know or even imagine that it was Rachel who took the idols and hid them in the saddle of the camel. During the search, she sat down firmly on the saddle, apologizing for not being able to get up, «because I usually have what happens to women» (Gen 31:35). So the loot wasn’t discovered. The author of this work was inspired by the composition of an engraving by Stefano Della Bella (1610-1664) of circa 1647. The engraving by Stefano della Bella bears the title "Iacob sur ses vieux jours quitte sans fascherie pour voir son filz Ioseph, sa terre et sa patrie" and is signed on the bottom left "Stef. of the Beautiful In. et fe." while on the right it is declared "Cum privil. Regis", that is with license of the king. Stefano Della Bella (Italy - Florence, May 18, 1610-Florence, July 12, 1664) was born in a family of painters, sculptors and goldsmiths and was left early orphan of his father sculptor, he dedicated himself first to the art of goldsmith at the school of Giovanni Benedetto Castiglione and Gasparo Mola, then turning his attention to drawing and engraving. He soon began drawing figures and copying the etchings of Jacques Callot, which inspired his early works. Under the protection of the Medici, in particular of Don Lorenzo, cadet son of Grand Duke Ferdinand I, Della Bella has the opportunity to make study trips to Rome, where he stayed from 1633-1636; In Rome he met French engravers and publishers of prints such as Israël Henriet and François Langlois, who influenced his decision to move to Paris in 1639, four years after the death of Callot. In Paris he soon reached, thanks to the engravings commissioned by Cardinal Richelieu, the success also worldly; he frequented courtiers, theatre artists and writers, while refusing too oppressive honors. In 1646-1647 he continued his travels in the Netherlands to Amsterdam, Antwerp and Dordrecht. He returned to Florence in 1650 and resumed working under the protection of the Medici court, working for his patrons. In 1656 he became a member of the Academy of Apatists. The painting object of this study is reasonably attributable to Pier Francesco Cittadini, or Pierfrancesco Cittadini, called the Milanese or the Franceschino (Italy - Milan, 1616-Bologna, 1681) as some exemplary stylistic comparisons proposed to follow can prove. Pier Francesco Cittadini was an Italian baroque painter, mainly active in Bologna. His artistic training first took place with the painter Daniele Crespi...

A Huge Painting , Biblical Scene , Late 17th Century Florentine School representing the reconciliation of Esau and Jacob. Seeking reconciliation with his brother Esau, Jacob, after ...

Splendid 17th century Italian painting. Oil painting on canvas depicting the alliance of Jacob and Laban. The subject is inspired by a canvas by Pietro da Cortona (1596-1669), preser...