Pietà, Giovan Bernardo Lama (Naples, 1536 – 1600 ca.)

Giovan Bernardo Lama (Naples, 1536 – ca. 1600)

Pietà

oil on the table

51 cm x 41 cm.
Antique frame (defects and missing parts) 66 x 56 cm.

Observing the fine quality and elegance of the design of this intense Pietà from the 1536th century, we can compare its execution to the most refined works of late Neapolitan Mannerism: in particular, there are many points of contact with the style of Giovan Bernardo Lama (Naples, ca. 1600-XNUMX),
to whom we can easily attribute its paternity, whose flourishing workshop reproduced this subject in numerous variations.

A great exponent of the Italian Renaissance, active mainly in Naples, Lama was inspired by a purely Raphaelesque culture. His training took place around 1550 in the workshop of Polidoro da Caravaggio, who arrived in Naples during the sack of Rome in 1527. The arrival of Giorgio Vasari in Naples was also decisive for his painting, thanks to that new language that had already conquered Rome. And it was precisely Vasari and the Tuscan-Roman ways, appropriately filtered by the tearful and compassionate expressionism of Luis de Vargas, that influenced Lama's first efforts.

In the painting proposed here, our author has been able to render the moment of Christ's mourning in an extraordinary way, demonstrating precision, realism and emotional depth in the interpretation of the sacred union between the Madonna and Christ, through a masterly play of contrasting colours, lights and shadows.

The pietistic and devotional nature of Counter-Reformation painting is evident: the representation, of great dramatic effect, shows Christ, after being taken down from the cross, welcomed into the arms of the Virgin. The intense maternal compassion is revealed by the expression on her face which, aware of the fate of her son, exudes suffering, but also calm resignation.

The work is a version, made for domestic devotion, of the altarpiece by Lama which went to auction at Sotheby's in New York (25 January 2001) and is now in the Basilica of San Giacomo degli Spagnoli in Naples (see image in details), made around the XNUMXs.
URL https://it.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Giovanni_Bernardo_Lama_-_La_Piet%C3%A0.jpg

Also very similar is the Pietà in the Church of SS. Severino and Sossio (https://catalogo.beniculturali.it/detail/HistoricOrArtisticProperty/1500217826).

Great visual impact, solemn composition, strong colouring and figures with sculptural features are the characteristic elements of this Michelangelo-esque Pietà, which captures one of the most incisive moments in the life of Christ.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:

The painting is sold complete with an antique gilded frame that shows drops, remakes and defects and is accompanied by a certificate of authenticity and a 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.

Contact us, without obligation, for any additional information.

Follow us also on:

https://www.instagram.com/galleriacastelbarco/?hl=it
https://www.facebook.com/galleriacastelbarco/