A Pair Of Religious Paintings: *adoration Of The Shepherds* – *adoration Of The Magi*

Pair of religious paintings, oil on canvas

Adoration of the Shepherds – Adoration of the Magi
Venetian school, first quarter of the 18th century
Dimensions: 92 × 114 cm with frame, 79 × 99 cm canvas only.

This refined pair of canvases, depicting the Adoration of the Shepherds and the Adoration of the Magi, can be attributed to a Venetian painter active in the first quarter of the 18th century, who was part of the vibrant cultural scene of the Venetian lagoon during a transitional phase between 17th-century traditions and new 18th-century sensibilities.

From a compositional standpoint, the works still display a solid Baroque structure: the linear arrangement of the figures, with the Holy Family positioned to the side, the drapery with its metallic and iridescent sheen, and a certain Nordic flair betray a persistent legacy of the 17th century. At the same time, the adoption of a low viewpoint and the horizontal flow of the scenes, combined with a warm, amber light that envelops the setting, recall the most up-to-date interpretations of the sacred theme developed in the Venetian context in the early 18th century.

A stylistic comparison reveals affinities with several leading figures in Venetian painting of the period: the warmth of the light and the scenographic composition recall the solutions of Antonio Balestra; the grace of the female faces, the sculptural conception of the figures, and the dynamism of the angels—emphasized by flowing drapery—resonate with the style of Bartolomeo Litterini; while the elegance of the Virgin and the features of the children, graceful and curly-haired, reveal a sensibility akin to that of Nicolò Bambini.

Although the artist remains anonymous, he demonstrates an ability to blend these diverse influences with balance, creating compositions of strong narrative and emotional impact. The result is a harmonious and intensely communicative pair of paintings, characterized by a skillful use of chiaroscuro and a delicate yet theatrical rendering of light, a significant testament to the richness and complexity of Venetian painting in the first two decades of the 18th century.

Additional info: The work is available at our exhibition space in Badia Polesine (RO) and is sold with a certificate of authenticity. We handle and arrange the transport of purchased works, both within Italy and internationally, through professional and insured carriers.Please contact us for any information; we will be happy to assist you:

+393351010528; artearredoandriollo@gmail.com

We also recommend visiting our website https://www.artearredoandriollo.it/ and our social media profiles:

• https://instagram.com/artearredoandriollo?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y=

• https://www.facebook.com/Arte-Arredo-Andriollo-681724861934185/