Madonna with Child and two angels, Jacopo Confortini (Florence 1602-1672)

Jacopo Confortini (Florence 1602-1672)
Madonna with Child and two angels

Oil on canvas (80 x 60 cm./In frame 101 x 81 cm.)

The proposed painting, dating back to around the mid-seventeenth century, depicts the Virgin enveloped in a glow of golden light and resting on a throne of soft clouds, while lovingly holding the Child on her knees, with two adoring angels.

Jesus is portrayed here while receiving a goldfinch from his mother's hands, a bird with a strong symbolic value, whose presence alludes to the death and passion of Christ. According to Christian tradition, in fact, in an attempt to extract a sting from the crown of thorns placed on the head of the Messiah to alleviate his pain during the climb to Mount Calvary, the small bird stained its feathers with its blood, forever dyeing its head of red.

The attention to the role of light is evident, all played on vivid contrasts, which gives relief to the painting and creates lively relationships, with a remarkable rendering of detail.

Focused on the refinement of the poses and the liveliness of the chromatic material, the sacredness of the image is softened by the spontaneous gestures of the two protagonists, which bring to mind a scene of daily life at play rather than a religious image. The bright colors also underline the joyful event, although the golden background and the luminous halo spread by the Virgin recall the divine dimension of the characters.

From the stylistic analysis we are inclined to identify the possible author in the Florentine artist Jacopo Confortini, belonging to a family of artists, son of the painter of Pisan origin Matteo and older brother of the less well-known Jacopo, presumably placing his execution still in the first part of the 17th century, although the pictorial styles are still indebted to chronologically earlier Tuscan models (a very similar design is to be found in the production of the painter Palutilla Nelli, precisely in her Madonna del latte).

The painter probably trained in a family environment, and then frequented established artists such as Giovanni Bilivert and Matteo Rosselli. At just twenty years old, he took part in the decoration of the Medici casino of San Marco, coming into contact with the imaginative Giovanni da San Giovanni. He enrolled in the Art of Drawing in 1629, obtaining numerous sacred and profane commissions. In this period he stood out for his drawing ability, compositional flair, with interesting scenographic insertions, and chromatic richness.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:
The work is sold complete with a pleasant golden frame and is accompanied by a certificate of authenticity and descriptive iconographic card.
We take care of and organize the transport of the purchased works, both for Italy and abroad, through professional and insured carriers.
It is also possible to see the painting in the gallery in Riva del Garda, we will be happy to welcome you to show you our collection of works.

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In case of purchase of the work by non-Italian customers it will be necessary to obtain an export permit which requires approximately 10/20 days, our gallery will take care of the entire phase until obtaining it. All costs of this operation are included.

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