The Dawn, By Guido Reni (bologna 1575 - 1642)

The Dawn - By Guido Reni (Bologna 1575 - 1642)

Oil on canvas (98 x 148 cm - Framed 108 x 159 cm)

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This large painting depicts the young Apollo, crowned in a blazing halo and wrapped in a broad cloak, driving the chariot of the Sun, drawn by four fiery horses that soar through the air bringing the light of the new day to earth.

Preceding the Sun's chariot is Aurora, who hovers in the air scattering flowers wrapped in light veils, reflecting the delicate orange of the first rays of day, driving back the darkness of night to the right.

The winged putto following her is Phosphor, the first star of the morning, carrying a lighted torch, while the warm light radiating from the chariot breaks up into the luminous colours of the veils enveloping young maiden bodies, the Hours, dancing around the Sun in a triumph of light.

The iconographic prototype is ‘The Chariot of Dawn’ that Guido Reni frescoed in 1614 for the ceiling of the central hall of the Casino adjacent to the Pallavicini-Rospigliosi Palace in Rome, commissioned by Cardinal Scipione Borghese, an important patron of the arts.

This mythological subject, charged with strong symbolic value, was often requested for the frescoes of many important residences: the artists had to represent not simply the rising of any new day, but allegorically the dawn of a new era of glory for the commissioning family.

Shifting our gaze now to our composition, the Rhenish scene is here masterfully rendered by the hand of a talented painter, presumably active in Rome in the 18th century.

In fact, the success of the work favoured its conspicuous diffusion, so much so that numerous paintings are known to have been executed by artists from Reni's circle/shop or active at a time immediately following the creation of the canvas, as in our case, to please some patrons eager to possess their own version.

The Aurora fresco, which has become one of the most famous and admired works of art in the history of art, reveals an aspect that will always be characteristic of Reni's style, namely his admiration for ancient sculpture: in fact, starting from classical statues he developed an ideal of absolute perfection that would make him famous as a painter of ideal beauty.

And this painting is its emblem par excellence.


ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:

The state of preservation is good with some colour gaps in the corners.

The work sold is completed by an attractive gilded wooden frame and comes with a certificate of authenticity and guarantee.

We take care of and organise the transport of the purchased works, both for Italy and abroad, through professional and insured carriers.

It is also possible to view the painting in the gallery in Riva del Garda, we will be happy to welcome you to show you our collection of works.

Contact us, without obligation, for any additional information.

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