Praying Madonna, Giovanni Battista Salvi 'sassoferrato' (sassoferrato 1609 - Rome 1685)

Giovanni Battista Salvi, known as Sassoferrato (Sassoferrato 1609 - Rome 1685) workshop/circle
Praying Madonna

Second half of the 17th century

Oil on canvas (57 x 46, with frame 78 x 65)

Details of the work (click HERE)

This splendid Madonna, portrayed in an intimate moment of prayer, stands out for its refined pictorial execution and can be attributed to the pictorial sensibility of Giovan Battista Salvi, known as Sassoferrato, from the Marche region. Analysis of the cretto also suggests a date compatible with the author or perhaps slightly later, who, in the height of the Baroque period, created timeless, almost metaphysical images.

A pupil of Domenichino and a refined interpreter of the Renaissance tradition, particularly that of Raphael, Sassoferrato developed a style of extraordinary formal perfection, with precise drawing and refined brushwork designed to create delicate images of the Virgin.

His critical and collecting success can be seen in the countless autograph and non-autograph replicas, in which the attributive distinction can be grasped, as in our case, by observing the sustained quality, perceptible in the rendering of the facial features and, finally, the meticulous chiaroscuro effect of the unmistakable porcelain-like rendering of the skin typical of Sassoferrato, with the chromatic contrast of the intense blue mantle, which makes the work even more precious.

The artist, supported from the outset by a flourishing workshop, was the main creator of this series of iconographies, which were an immediate success due to the delicacy and humanity expressed by the Virgin, portrayed with her hands on her chest, which, like her face, become the focal point of the painting and imbue it with great spiritual pathos.

This is a fine example of a composition that the artist repeated on several occasions, including the works preserved in the Pinacoteca dei Musei Civici in Pesaro and in the Monastery of Santa Chiara in Sassoferrato.

Excluding the crude versions, the most noteworthy works have been sold at the most selective auctions with high prices; by way of example, we can consider some sold at Sotheby's: among these, the magnificent Madonna in Prayer, to be cleaned (fig. 1 - Sotheby's, London, 08/07/2010, lot 154) or the same subject but restored (fig. 2 - Sotheby's, London, 04/12/2008, lot 193). Finally, we can mention a work very similar to ours, mirroring the previous ones and therefore with the Virgin portrayed with her face tilted to the left (fig. 3 - Paris, 26/06/2019, lot 70).

fig.1 - https://www.sothebys.com/en/auctions/ecatalogue/2010/old-master-and-british-paintings-day-sale-l1003...
fig.2 - https://www.sothebys.com/en/auctions/ecatalogue/2008/old-master-paintings-day-sale-l08037/lot.193.ht...
fig.3 - https://www.sothebys.com/en/auctions/ecatalogue/2019/tableaux-sculptures-dessins-anciens-pf1909/lot....

The work is in good condition. There are a few small touch-ups scattered across the surface.


ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:

Complete with antique gilded frame, not contemporary.

The work is sold complete with certificate of authenticity and descriptive iconographic card.

We take care of 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 our gallery in Riva del Garda. We would be delighted to welcome you and show you our collection of works.

If the work is purchased by non-Italian customers, an export permit will be required, which takes approximately 15-20 days to obtain. Our gallery will take care of the entire process until the permit is obtained. All costs associated with this operation are included.

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