Saint John The Baptist, Tomaso Pombioli (crema, 1579 – Crema, 1636)

Tomaso Pombioli (Crema, 1579 – Crema, 1636)
Saint John the Baptist

Oil on canvas

99 x 130 cm.
In frame 120 x 152 cm.

Reference bibliography:
M. Marubbi and C. Piastrella, L'estro e la realtà. La pittura a Crema nel Seicento, Milan 1997, pp. 64-87

Complete details of the work (click HERE)

This high-quality painting is an eloquent emblem of the Baroque style, combining technical mastery, dramatic lighting and emotional depth in an image of great visual and symbolic impact, depicting St John the Baptist, an iconic figure of profound spirituality and devotion.

The ascetic figure of the saint, lying immersed in a wild and isolated landscape, is complemented by his two canonical attributes, namely the lamb, the Christological symbol par excellence, and the shepherd's crook with the scroll, iconographic elements that enrich the work with profound theological meaning, making it particularly evocative.

Great pictorial intensity has been reserved for the rendering of the figure, whose body exhibits defined musculature that expresses strength and austerity, in addition to the expression on his face, which conveys deep contemplation and spirituality. The skilful use of light and shadow enhances the volumes and creates an evocative atmosphere, while the colour palette, dominated by earthy tones, which then explodes into the vibrant red of the cloak, lends depth and drama.

This painting is therefore not only a work of art, but a window onto a moment of reflection and spiritual connection, capable of enriching any environment with its imposing presence and eternal message. Ideal for collectors and lovers of sacred art, it offers a unique opportunity to own a piece of artistic history that is a source of great inspiration.

The painting can be attributed to a skilled painter of the Lombard school active in the first half of the 17th century and, in particular, displays the main characteristics of the work of Tomaso Pombioli, the leading exponent of the Crema school of painting in the 17th century, from the composition to the palette, with a colour scheme halfway between the Cremonese and Venetian traditions, and the composition with the insertion of the landscape on the right, also reminiscent of the Venetian style.

Particularly typical of the master is the lucid and wet rendering of the face of St John: his expression, with his languid eyes turned upwards in contemplation, adds an element of pathos and spirituality, which even today, as in the past, aims to elicit intense emotional reactions in the viewer.

In this regard, we can mention one of the painter's most famous paintings, which, although secular in nature, fully incorporates the elements just described: it is the Portrait of a Musician with a Guitar, now in the Galleria dell'Accademia Tadini in Bergamo (https://www.lombardiabeniculturali.it/opere-arte/schede/S0010-00132/ )


ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:

The work is sold complete with an attractive gilded frame, a certificate of authenticity and a descriptive iconographic card.

We arrange and organise the transport of purchased works, both in Italy and abroad, through professional and insured carriers. It is also possible to view the painting in the gallery in Riva del Garda, where we will be delighted to welcome you and show you our collection of works.

Please contact us, without obligation, for any additional information.

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