Pair Of 18th Century Baroque Panels, Gilded Stucco Moldings Fixed To Wooden Panels

Pair of gilded stucco panels on wood – Late 18th centuryThe Deposition from the Cross and the Adoration of the MagiItalian-inspired work, attributable to the school of Guglielmo della PortaRare pair of sculpted panels in gilded stucco applied to wood, finely worked in high relief. Each represents a major scene from the New Testament:The Deposition from the Cross, in a lively and expressive composition, adopts the stylistic codes of the Roman Mannerist school and is directly inspired by a model by Guglielmo della Porta (circa 1515-1577), a renowned sculptor influenced by Michelangelo.The Adoration of the Magi, whose artist remains unknown, adopts a visual language very close to the first panel: broad gestures, lively draperies and depth of composition. This homogeneity suggests that the two works come from the same workshop and were probably part of an altarpiece or religious decorative ensemble.Historical provenance:The panels come from the region of Saint-Malo, a famous French trading port in the 17th and 18th centuries. The birthplace of renowned privateers such as Robert Surcouf and Duguay-Trouin, Saint-Malo was also a thriving center of international trade. Wealthy shipowners, traders, and captains from Saint-Malo built vast residences called “malouinières” there, often adorned with precious imported or European-inspired, particularly Italian, art objects.In this context, these two panels could have been acquired or commissioned to adorn a private oratory or chapel, both as a testimony of faith and a symbol of prestige.