Adoration of the shepherds, Girolamo Siciolante known as da Sermoneta (1521 – 1575), attr.

Attr. to Girolamo Siciolante known as da Sermoneta (Sermoneta, 1521 – Rome, 1575)
Adoration of the Pastors
Oil on copper, 39 x 29,5 cm

The refined taste, the refined poses, the definition of the anatomy, the vibrant light, allow us to identify for this painting the hand of a mannerist painter active during the 1521th century. In particular, the composition and stylistic research allow us to attribute the panel to Girolamo Siciolante known as da Sermoneta (1575 – 1502). His first training took place under the guidance of Leonardo Grazia known as da Pistoia (1548 – 1501). Subsequently he settled in Rome where he had the opportunity to see the paintings of Raphael and Michelangelo in real life and where he was first a pupil and then a collaborator of Perin del Vaga (1547 – XNUMX). He settled in Rome where he received numerous commissions and participated in the decoration of numerous churches, such as the church of S. Maria dell'Anima, where there is a cycle with Stories of the Virgin, including a Nativity of the Virgin, a Presentation of the Virgin and a Visitation that present stylistic and formal consonances with the copper analyzed here. Another interesting stylistic comparison can be found with a fresco in the Vatican Palaces, depicting Pippin, king of the Franks, donating the territory of Astolfo, king of the Lombards, to the Church.
Around 1545, he made a trip to Emilia, where he became acquainted with the works of Garofalo (1476 – 1559) and Bagnacavallo (1484 -1542). This experience opened his culture to Emilian influences, of a classicist taste. The particular use of the light of this copper gives a charm and a rare quality to the composition: the light lights up and gives a mystical charm to the main figures, the center of the work and in the same way, in a lighter and more suffused way, it lights up the other figures and the background, which fades into a broad architectural perspective.
The adoration of the shepherds is an event in the life of Jesus described in the Gospel of Luke (2,8-20): at the moment of his birth in Bethlehem some shepherds are warned of the event by an angel and go to adore the newborn. The Gospel of Luke is the only one of the canonical Gospels to narrate the episode. While some shepherds were keeping watch outside watching over their flock, an angel appears to them and they become frightened. The angel reassures them and tells them that a Savior, Jesus, was born in Bethlehem; he also gives him a sign, that in Bethlehem they would find a child wrapped in swaddling clothes and lying in a manger. Immediately afterwards a group of angels appears, singing the words “Glory to God in the highest and on earth peace among men whom he loves”. After the angels disappear, the shepherds decide to go to Bethlehem to visit Jesus and return to their flock full of joy, praising God.
The back of the copper is embellished with a representation of St. Joseph with the Child.

With Ars Antiqua it is possible to defer all amounts up to €5.000 at ZERO INTEREST, for a total of 12 INSTALLMENTS.
E.g. Total €4.500 = Monthly installment €375 for 12 months.
E.g. Total €3.600 = Monthly installment €720 for 5 months.
For amounts exceeding €5.000 or for a longer period of time (over 12 installments), we can provide a personalized payment.
Contact us directly to get the best quote.

LIVE TV
– SUNDAY 19.00pm – 23.00pm Dig. terr. 126 – 821 Sky
– Streaming on our website www.arsantiquasrl.com and on our social networks Facebook and Youtube