Madonna in Prayer, Giovanni Battista Salvi known as Sassoferrato (Sassoferrato 1609 – Rome 1685) workshop/circle

Giovanni Battista Salvi known as Sassoferrato (Sassoferrato 1609 – Rome 1685) workshop/circle
Madonna Praying
Second half of the seventeenth century
Oil on canvas (57 x 46, framed 78 x 65)

Details of the work (click HERE)

This splendid Madonna, depicted in an intimate moment of prayer, is distinguished by its refined pictorial technique and is attributed to the artistic sensibility of Giovan Battista Salvi, known as Sassoferrato, from the Marche region. Analysis of the crack also suggests a dating consistent with the artist's original work, or perhaps slightly later. A pupil of Domenichino and a refined interpreter of the Renaissance tradition, particularly Raphael, Sassoferrato developed a style of extraordinary formal perfection, with precise drawing and refined brushstrokes creating delicate images of the Virgin.

The artist's critical and collector success is evident from the countless autographed and non-autographed replicas, in which the attributional distinction can be seen, as in our case, in the sustained quality, perceptible in the application of the facial features and finally the meticulous chiaroscuro of the unmistakable porcelain rendering of the skin typical of Sassoferrato, with the chromatic contrast of the intense blue cloak, which makes the work even more precious.

The artist, supported from the very beginning by a thriving workshop, proved to be the main creator of this series of iconographies, which met with immediate success due to the delicacy and humanity that the Virgin manages to express, portrayed with her hands on her chest, which, like her face, become the focal point of the painting and imbue it with great spiritual pathos.

This is a fine example of a composition that the artist repeated on several occasions, including the works preserved in the Pinacoteca dei Musei Civici of Pesaro and in the Monastery of Santa Chiara in Sassoferrato.

Excluding the rough versions, the most deserving works have been sold at the most selective auctions with significant prices. For example, we can consider some sold at Sotheby's: among these, the magnificent Madonna in Prayer, in need of cleaning (fig. 1 – Sothebys, London, 08/07/2010, lot 154) or the same subject but restored (fig. 2 – Sothebys, London, 04/12/2008, lot 193). Finally, we can mention a work very similar to ours, a mirror image of the previous ones and therefore with the Virgin portrayed with her face tilted to the left (fig. 3 – Paris, 26.06.2019, lot 70).

fig.1 – link, fig.2 – link, fig.3 – link

The work is in good condition. There are some minor surface retouchings.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:

Complete with non-coeval antique gilded frame.

The work is sold complete with a certificate of authenticity and a descriptive iconographic sheet.

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.

In case of purchase of the work by non-Italian customers it will be necessary to obtain an export permit which requires approximately 15/20 days, our gallery will take care of the entire phase until obtaining it. All costs of this operation are included.

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