Fantastic landscape with the Nativity of Christ, Scipione Compagno (Naples 1624 – 1680)

Scipione Compagni, or Compagno (Naples, circa 1624 - post 1680)
Fantastic landscape with the Nativity of Christ and the appearance of the Angel to the shepherds

Oil painting on canvas
cm. 47 x 62, with antique frame cm. 63 x 78 cm.

COMPLETE DETAILS OF THE WORK: https://www.antichitacastelbarco.it/it/product/paesaggio-fantastico-con-la-nascita-di-cristo-

We present with great pleasure this rich depiction, executed in the second half of the seventeenth century, whose stylistic and compositional features reflect the stylistic features of the Neapolitan lesson: the warm colours, the lively chromatic range, the fast but precise brushstrokes are elements that lead us, in detail, by Scipione Compagno.

It fits fully into the classic production of the Neapolitan painter, characterized by compositions full of numerous figures, assembled with great formal elegance, where the painter reworks the mannerist suggestions but in a theatrical key and consequently arrives at an extremely refined baroque vision of narration.

The reminiscences with the painting of Filippo Angeli are evident, but above all the similarities with Domenico Gargiulo, known as Micco Spadaro, distinguished by elegant and precious chromatic agreements, and with some references to Roman painting of the early 17th century. In the work, in fact, we observe references to Roman and Neapolitan classicism, with the bright and brightened palette that we can trace back to the works of the painter's maturity.

The painting depicts, in a mountainous river landscape, in front of a large ancient building that stands on a rock, the birth of Christ with Joseph and Mary, surrounded by numerous shepherds who have come to honor the sacred event. On the right in the foreground are a multitude of other figures, some of whom indicate the birth of the Messiah with their hands. From above a blue sky a bright glow that breaks the clouds leaves room for a crowd of flying angels that spread rays of light; this glow, directed towards a small group of figures, serves to immortalize a very interesting detail, namely the appearance of the angel to the shepherds (Luke II, 8-14) to announce the birth of the Savior to them. “…behold, I bring you good news of a great joy, which will be for all the people: today in the city of David a savior has been born to you, who is Christ the Lord. This is the sign for you: you will find a child wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger."

The bright and clear colorism of the work in question is typical of Neapolitan painting between the end of the seventeenth century and the beginning of the eighteenth century. The composition also betrays the influence of Roman classicism prevailing at the end of the seventeenth century.

The work is presented in a very good state of conservation, completed by a valuable antique gilded wooden frame. Painting complete with certificate of authenticity in accordance with the law.

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