Caffi Margherita (1647-1710) Throwing Flowers At The Fountain

Margherita Caffi (1647-1710) was a renowned Italian artist who specialized in still lifes of flowers. She is considered one of the few female painters to have achieved some success in this artistic genre in the 17th century. Born in Milan, she worked mainly in Lombardy and neighboring regions, where she created numerous floral compositions for aristocratic and ecclesiastical collections.

Dated 1695 and signed "Marg. Caffi f.1695", this still life titled Throwing Flowers at the Fountain shows a composition of varied flowers, including peonies, tulips, roses and anemones, arranged in bowls, with a fountain in the background. The details of the petals, the play of light and the contrasts emphasize the precision of each flower, characteristic of Caffi's refined style.

The 1690s marked a period of maturity for the artist, during which she developed a distinctive style, with particular attention to detail and the harmonious arrangement of flowers. Margherita Caffi's floral compositions were highly prized by aristocratic and ecclesiastical patrons, reflecting the period's taste for natural beauty and Baroque exuberance.

They also evoke the transience of life, a recurring theme in Baroque art. The work's signature was brought to light during a recent cleaning, which removed excessive 19th-century overpainting and revealed the original painting. The inscription "Marg. Caffi f.1695" confirms its authenticity and dating. The abbreviation "Marg." stands for Margherita, while the "f." means "fecit," Latin for "made" or "painted," followed by the year 1695.

Measuring 98 x 61 cm, this canvas illustrates the work of Margherita Caffi, influenced by Italian and Flemish Baroque traditions.