Seventeenth century
118 x 91 cm. - Framed 129 x 102 cm
Lucas de la Haye, known as Luca Fiammingo (Nivelles, 1612–Rome, 1682)
Saint Cecilia and two cherubs
Oil painting on canvas
118 x 91 cm. – Framed 129 x 102 cm.
Expertise of the prof. Emilio Negro (Bologna)
This evocative painting, which we are pleased to exhibit to you, sees at the centre of the composition Saint Cecilia, the Roman noblewoman who later converted to Christianity and a much-loved figure in the Baroque period, as the patron saint of music, instrumentalists and singers; she is depicted here as a splendid young girl dressed in regal robes, intent on playing a musical instrument watched over by angelic presences.
Beautiful and evocative is the detail of her gaze turned upwards, irradiated by a mystical and divine light, since it is precisely through music that the Saint rises towards the divine.
With regard to the stylistic features, it should be noted that the painting in question is by a talented master active in the seventeenth century, and precisely, based on the use of warm and balanced hues to soften the chiaroscuro contrasts, of Tuscan or Roman origin.
The good author must therefore be sought within the Central Italian Baroque culture influenced by the decorative brilliance of the great Giovanni Battista Gaulli known as Baciccio and equally by the classical reinterpretation of Raphael carried out in the first decades of the seventeenth century by the Bolognese Guido Reni first, and then in Rome by the talented Andrea Sacchi. The traits of some foreigners, always active in Rome in the same period, must not be ignored, among these it is right to mention the works of Simon Vouet.
This explains why in our canvas one can perceive both the learned Bolognese culture of Reni, Francesco Albani and Domenichino, as well as the more advanced Roman pictorial narrative of the 17th century, derived from the knowledge of the best works of Pietro da Cortona: the generally warm colours of this St. Cecilia and two cherubs in fact anticipate the salon refinements that presage the Baroque from beyond the Alps, that is, that artistic movement à la page so loved by the cultured Roman aristocracy of the 17th century.
Dwelling on the compositional details, it is easy to recognize in the painting the modus pingendi of the talented Lucas de la Haye, known as Fra Luca Fiammingo (Nivelles, 1612- Rome, 1682), a master with refined talents active in Italy during the seventeenth century.
Being a Carmelite friar his works were much sought after by his order, as well as by noblemen and wealthy merchants of the time;
As proof of the attribution proposed here, it will therefore be sufficient to compare our canvas with other works by Lucas de la Haye, such as for example the Assumption of the Virgin (1) and above all the Vision of St. Teresa of Avila (2), both in Montecompatri (church of S. Silvestro) and Christ crowned with thorns (3) (Convent of S. Maria della Scala) and again St. Teresa of Avila has the vision of the angel (4) (Church of S. Maria della Scala, Rome).
In the paintings listed here, like ours, the typical painting of the Flemish master emerges, imaginative and classicist, obtained with warm colours and flashes of light, yet ready to welcome with casual naturalness even Roman and Emilian influences.
(1) https://catalogo.beniculturali.it/detail/HistoricOrArtisticProperty/1200236918
(2) https://catalogo.beniculturali.it/detail/HistoricOrArtisticProperty/12002369203
(3) https://catalogo.cultura.gov.it/detail/HistoricOrArtisticProperty/12005154304
(4) https://catalogo.beniculturali.it/detail/HistoricOrArtisticProperty/1200225041
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:
The work is completed by a pleasant golden frame and is sold with a certificate of authenticity and guarantee.
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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