Neapolitan school; late seventeenth century. "A Child with flowers and fruits". Oil on canvas. Re-framed.

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OLD MASTERS

By Setdart Auction House

Jul 14, 2021

Set Reminder 2021-07-14 06:30:00 2021-07-14 06:30:00 America/New_York Bidsquare Bidsquare : OLD MASTERS https://www.bidsquare.com/auctions/setdart-auction-house/old-masters-7202
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• Lot Description
  Neapolitan school; late seventeenth century. "A Child with flowers and fruits". Oil on canvas. Re-framed. Presents loose frame, pictorial losses. Size: 111 x 56 cm; 117 x 62,5 cm (frame). The scene of vertical format shows us a little love located in the right zone of the composition, which is invaded by a group of flowers. Among this vegetation stands out the pomegranate, symbol of rebirth, both in classical iconography, characteristic element of Persephone, and in the Christian religion, symbol of passion, resurrection and even chastity. It is likely that this work has a deeper allegorical meaning, a second reading that speaks of abundance and youth. Allegorical portraits emerged from the Middle Ages with the intention of exalting the qualities and situations of life. This type of works were used to exalt the qualities of a character. In the representation dominates the composition of the image an effective illumination, very studied and contrasted, based on a tenebrist spotlight, an artificial light that falls directly on the most prominent areas of the composition, leaving the rest in semi-darkness and highlighting the figure with great three-dimensionality and naturalism. The palette used revolves around greenish, ochre and carmine tones, bringing warmth to the scene, very elaborate and nuanced tones. The distinctive sign of the Neapolitan school has always been its strong naturalistic character, its warm color, with dominant reddish and brownish tones. In Naples the influence of José Ribera was equal or superior to that of Caravaggio. His naturalism, more sensual and of matter, more vigorous and vehement, less intellectual than that of the latter, becomes with time permeable to Venetian and Flemish influences, becoming richer in color and lighter in technique, especially after 1635. His most faithful disciples are the Fracanzano family, Cesare (1600-51) and Francesco (1612-56), Bartolomeo Bassante (1614-56), Paolo Domenico Finoglia (1590-1645) and some others who later cultivated special genres such as Aniello Falcone (1607-56), Salvatore Rosa (1615-73) or Luca Giordano. However, from the Baroque period onwards, the colors were softened and nuanced without opting for tenebrism, but preserving a great theatricality in the representations.
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