Giuseppe Assereto (1626-1657) e bottega - Transito di San Giuseppe

Intense Ligurian painting "The Transit of Saint Joseph". Attributable to Giuseppe Assereto, son of Gioacchino, and his workshop: 17th century.
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Giuseppe Assereto (1626-1657) was born in Genoa and, developing the artistic teachings learned in his father Gioacchino's workshop, he developed a personal style characterized by an original fusion of Caravaggio elements, enhanced by an expressive and dramatic chiaroscuro, with contemporary classicist influences, identifiable in the search for compositional balance and in the idealization of the figures. Genoese naturalistic painting of the early seventeenth century also permeates the compositional ideation of Giuseppe, whose premature death occurred at the age of only thirty-one.
Religious subjects stand out in his work: altarpieces, biblical scenes, portraits and still lifes, always embellished with a fluid and pasty brushstroke, capable of creating effects of softness and brightness.
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In the composition in question, Saint Joseph reaches out towards Jesus who looks after him with an edifying and filial expression. The Madonna comforts her husband and, with a saving gesture, joins her hands in prayer.
Two angels anticipate the imminent ascent towards heaven and serenely support the flowering branch, a praise of Saint Joseph.
The many details, drawn with italic brush skill, make the composition very balanced: the faces express emotional intensity and amplify the importance of the moment.
The misty tones, with a skilful dosage of light, counterpoint the chromatic liveliness and warmth used in the complexions, in the clothes and in the drapery.
The work also denotes the suggestive influences of dark sensitivity, in a southern key.
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It comes from a Ligurian residence.
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Dimensions: 95cm x 73cm.
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