The Miracle Of St. Francis, Felice Cignani (bologna 1658 – Forlì 1724)
Artist: Felice Cignani (bologne 1658 - Forlì 1724)
Felice Cignani (Bologna 1658 – Forlì 1724)
The Miracle of Saint Francis of Paola
Oil on canvas (165 x 111 cm - Framed: 182 x 129 cm.)
Work accompanied by an expert report by Prof. Emilio Negro
A native of the Calabrian town from which he takes his name and who lived between the 15th and 16th centuries, Francis was a member of the Franciscan Order, venerated for his healing powers, whose motto was “Caritas,” which we find here in the inscription visible on the altarpiece at the end of his staff.
He was a highly important religious figure, whose fame spread beyond the borders of Italy to reach France as well: by order of Pope Sixtus IV, he traveled to France to attend to King Louis XI, and although he was unable to heal the ailing sovereign, he helped him repent, make amends for numerous injustices, and settle pending matters with the Holy See.
From a stylistic standpoint, as noted by Professor Emilio Negro in his study, this is an interesting work by an artist active in Emilia between the 17th and 18th centuries, whose style clearly reveals a familiarity with the pictorial corpus of Carlo Cignani, and therefore attributable to an artist in his workshop, in this case reflecting a reinterpretation of the pictorial styles of Guercino and Annibale Carracci.
Based on these elements, it is plausible to attribute the work to Felice Cignani (Bologna, 1658 – Forlì, 1724), a painter of noble birth, as well as the son and pupil of Carlo. He, in turn, became a highly regarded master, among the last followers of his father’s illustrious workshop, where, as is well known, even the most demanding tasks were entrusted to the best apprentices due to the numerous commissions. Thus, the apprentices had the opportunity to contribute to the best of their ability while learning the secrets of the craft directly from the master of the workshop.
The detail of the two figures in the background—a mother with her child in her lap—is exquisite and cannot help but evoke the beautiful Madonnas with the Child so dear to the Cignani workshop.
To confirm the attribution proposed here, one need only compare our St. Francis of Paola with other works by Felice Cignani executed during his final years of artistic maturity spent in Forlì, such as St. Gertrude (Forlì, Church of St. Mercuriale, https://catalogo.cultura.gov.it/detail/HistoricOrArtisticProperty/0800033536); in this latter painting, just like in ours, the warm, highly contrasted luminosity typical of the Bolognese artist is evident. And then there is the altarpiece depicting St. Thomas Aquinas (Pinacoteca Civica “Melozzo degli Ambrogi,” Forlì, https://bbcc.regione.emilia-romagna.it/pater/loadcard.do?id_card=57988&force=1) and the Saint Philip Neri in Adoration (https://bbcc.regione.emilia-romagna.it/pater/loadcard.do?id_card=58614 )
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:
The painting is sold complete with an attractive frame and comes with a certificate of authenticity and a descriptive iconographic sheet.
We handle and arrange the shipping of purchased works, both within Italy and internationally, through professional and insured carriers.
If you would like to view this or other works in person, we would be delighted to welcome you to our new gallery in Riva del Garda, located at Viale Giuseppe Canella 18. We look forward to seeing you!
Please contact us for any information or to schedule a visit; we’ll be happy to assist you.
Follow us on:
https://www.instagram.com/galleriacastelbarco/?hl=it
https://www.facebook.com/galleriacastelbarco/
The Miracle of Saint Francis of Paola
Oil on canvas (165 x 111 cm - Framed: 182 x 129 cm.)
Work accompanied by an expert report by Prof. Emilio Negro
Complete details of the painting (CLICK HERE)
The painting offered for sale (oil on canvas, 166 x 114 cm) is in good condition and depicts Saint Francis of Paola miraculously healing a young girl, brought before him by her parents, with her mother holding her sleeping little brother in her lap.A native of the Calabrian town from which he takes his name and who lived between the 15th and 16th centuries, Francis was a member of the Franciscan Order, venerated for his healing powers, whose motto was “Caritas,” which we find here in the inscription visible on the altarpiece at the end of his staff.
He was a highly important religious figure, whose fame spread beyond the borders of Italy to reach France as well: by order of Pope Sixtus IV, he traveled to France to attend to King Louis XI, and although he was unable to heal the ailing sovereign, he helped him repent, make amends for numerous injustices, and settle pending matters with the Holy See.
From a stylistic standpoint, as noted by Professor Emilio Negro in his study, this is an interesting work by an artist active in Emilia between the 17th and 18th centuries, whose style clearly reveals a familiarity with the pictorial corpus of Carlo Cignani, and therefore attributable to an artist in his workshop, in this case reflecting a reinterpretation of the pictorial styles of Guercino and Annibale Carracci.
Based on these elements, it is plausible to attribute the work to Felice Cignani (Bologna, 1658 – Forlì, 1724), a painter of noble birth, as well as the son and pupil of Carlo. He, in turn, became a highly regarded master, among the last followers of his father’s illustrious workshop, where, as is well known, even the most demanding tasks were entrusted to the best apprentices due to the numerous commissions. Thus, the apprentices had the opportunity to contribute to the best of their ability while learning the secrets of the craft directly from the master of the workshop.
The detail of the two figures in the background—a mother with her child in her lap—is exquisite and cannot help but evoke the beautiful Madonnas with the Child so dear to the Cignani workshop.
To confirm the attribution proposed here, one need only compare our St. Francis of Paola with other works by Felice Cignani executed during his final years of artistic maturity spent in Forlì, such as St. Gertrude (Forlì, Church of St. Mercuriale, https://catalogo.cultura.gov.it/detail/HistoricOrArtisticProperty/0800033536); in this latter painting, just like in ours, the warm, highly contrasted luminosity typical of the Bolognese artist is evident. And then there is the altarpiece depicting St. Thomas Aquinas (Pinacoteca Civica “Melozzo degli Ambrogi,” Forlì, https://bbcc.regione.emilia-romagna.it/pater/loadcard.do?id_card=57988&force=1) and the Saint Philip Neri in Adoration (https://bbcc.regione.emilia-romagna.it/pater/loadcard.do?id_card=58614 )
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:
The painting is sold complete with an attractive frame and comes with a certificate of authenticity and a descriptive iconographic sheet.
We handle and arrange the shipping of purchased works, both within Italy and internationally, through professional and insured carriers.
If you would like to view this or other works in person, we would be delighted to welcome you to our new gallery in Riva del Garda, located at Viale Giuseppe Canella 18. We look forward to seeing you!
Please contact us for any information or to schedule a visit; we’ll be happy to assist you.
Follow us on:
https://www.instagram.com/galleriacastelbarco/?hl=it
https://www.facebook.com/galleriacastelbarco/
9 900 €
Period: 17th century
Style: Renaissance, Louis 13th
Condition: Excellent condition
Material: Oil painting
Width: encadré 129 cm.
Height: encadré 182 cm.
Reference (ID): 1798319
Availability: In stock
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