"Large Oil On Canvas Attributed To Giovanni Gruembroech Said Solfarolo, Italy 17th Century"
Large painting attributed to Giovanni Gruembroech dit Solfarolo by the scientist Mario BonziCertificate, back of the photo, dated March 31, 1962
Italy, 17th century
Dimensions: 92 X 130 cm
I believe that oil painting on canvas (0.92 x 1.30) - photographed on the back - representing a fantastic landscape is the work of Giovanni Gruembroech known as Solfarolo, a painter from German countries, who worked in Milan between 1680 and 1687, and was the master of Carlo Antonio Tavella. We know from Ratti (Delle Vite dei Pittori, 1769, tome II, Vita del Tavella) that Gruembroech was "commonly called to Solfarolo because of a certain genius of him for painting views of the countries which have burned": - today Today, however, his landscapes, which inspired the young Tavella, are very rare to find. Solfarolo is recognizable in this Arcadian Capriccio in the sulfur-reddish hue of the mountainous landscape, where below you can see a soldier on guard at a bonfire burning with yellowish red smoke, which is the center of the whole scene. The mixture of Italian stylistic elements (palm trees, group of "classic-chicks" figures) and German elements (larches, castle, etc.) shows us the manner of the "German Gruembroech" (Lenzi), in which the singular Breughel Hell and Monsù Desiderio's fires seem to go out.
Mario Bonzi.
Genoa, March 31, 1962
