AFTER ANTONIO BALESTRA (VERONA 1666-1740)

AFTER ANTONIO BALESTRA (VERONA 1666-1740) Saint Sebastian nursed by Saint Irene, with Saint Lucy in attendance oil on poplar 30.5 x 47.5 cm After the Painting in the Hermitage, St. Petersburg. The panel and treatment points to its execution during the late 17th century the work is on a substantial poplar wood panel, the paint surafce with passages of fine transparent glazes and accented with fine impasto to the cloth. A comparison between the present work and know works reveals a comparable treatment of light and a similar characterisation of the figures. Antonio Balestra one of the most significant painters of the late Baroque period in Italy, and he produced a wide range of works in various genres, including religious and historical paintings, portraits, and genre scenes. Balestra was trained in Verona, where he studied under Francesco Ruschi and then moved to Venice in 1690. In Venice, he became influenced by the works of Paolo Veronese and Tintoretto and began developing his style, which was characterised by a harmonious use of colour, dramatic lighting, and emotional intensity as can be seen in the present panel. Balestra's early works were primarily religious subjects, and he gained recognition for his ability to create dramatic and moving scenes. He also painted portraits, which were highly sought after by the Venetian aristocracy, and he became famous for his ability to capture the likeness of his subjects while also imbuing them with a sense of dignity and elegance. Later in his career, Balestra began painting mythological and historical scenes, which were characterised by their dramatic compositions, bold use of colour, and intense emotion.Click here to share: