Salvator Rosa (1615–1673), Ambito di - San Paolo di Tebe - NO RESERVE

SALVATOR ROSA [Scope of]
(Naples, 1615 – Rome, 1673)
Saint Paul of Thebes
Oil on canvas, cm. 49 x 66. 5
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SPECIAL NOTICE: This lot is offered without reserve price
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NOTE: Publication of the catalog of works from the Intermidiart collection. Certificate of Guarantee and Lawful Origin. Work without frame:
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The painting presents a large spatiality despite its small size, and develops horizontally. Although the religious element is important, the nature represented in the foreground captures attention for the precision and realism with which it was painted. The scene depicts an episode from the life of Saint Paul of Thebes, the first hermit in Christian history, who took refuge in a cave to escape persecution against Christians. The cave was close to a water source and a palm tree, from which the Saint took what he needed to survive, such as woven leaves to make mats, his clothing and dates for food.
Despite some restorations, the painting still shows its expressive quality, with a Caravaggio-esque and naturalistic character that suggests the attribution to a talented southern painter active in Naples and Rome. It is hypothesized that it may have been produced by Salvator Rosa, especially during his full maturity between 1665 and 1670.
Salvator Rosa, born in Naples, received an excellent artistic education and trained under Francesco Fracanzano in Naples. The canvas in question, attributed to Salvator Rosa by Caterina Volpi, could date back to the artist's youthful period, between 1640 and 1645, when the influence of Neapolitan naturalism was still predominant. The painting shows a seascape with a rocky promontory, trees and figures engaged in fishing, with boats and watchtowers in the background.
The general character of the work presents rapid touches and a vigorous emphasis typical of the works of Salvator Rosa and his circle. The style is sharp, with a new landscape and intense chiaroscuro. The author could be a follower or member of the circle of Salvator Rosa, known for his production of landscapes characterized by skies thick with clouds and leaden chromaticism.
Regarding its state of conservation, the canvas is in fair general condition considering the age of the painting, the pictorial surface appears dirty and in patina. We can see - in Wood's light - several scattered restorations and some light unraveling and oxidation of the pictorial surface. There are no serious conservation problems and the original canvas has an old relining, which does not appear to require intervention. In sunlight, a fine crackle related to the era is visible. The frame may have been replaced at the time of the relining. The painting - of good pictorial quality - is very interesting both for its iconographic setting and for the application of colours, synonymous with an artist of great interpretative quality, and for this reason, the painting may require further study of attribution . The measurements of the canvas are cm. 49 x 66. 5. The painting is sold without a frame, although it is embellished with a beautiful golden and black lacquered frame.
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Provenance: Coll. Private Sicilian
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Publication:
Unpublished;
The Myths and the Territory in Sicily with a thousand cultures. UNPUBLISHED PAINTINGS general catalog of paintings from the collection of the “Myths and the territory” cycle, Publisher Lab_04, Marsala, 2024.
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In the case of sales outside Italian territory, the buyer will have to wait for the export procedures to be processed.