After Guido Reni, Mater Dolorosa Reni, 1650, Oil on Canvas

Details

Description

The Virgin in Prayer (or Mater Dolorosa) - Workshop of Guido Reni (Bologna, 1575 – Bologna, 1642)

Oil on canvas … Read more The Virgin in Prayer (or Mater Dolorosa) - Workshop of Guido Reni (Bologna, 1575 – Bologna, 1642)

Oil on canvas (77 x 64 cm., in frame 97 x 83 cm.)

The Madonna in our canvas is presented according to the typical iconography of the ‘mater dolorosa’, which sees her portrayed in an attitude of suffering tension combined with a feeling of extreme sweetness, with her hands crossed resting on her chest and her gaze turned upwards. It refers to the moment of the Passion of Jesus when the Virgin is placed in pain at the foot of the cross, as described in the Gospel of John (19, 25).

The complexion is irradiated by an intense light, highlighted by the monochrome background, which shapes the figure, touching it with an indescribable grace.

The painting depicts the figure of the Virgin in a strongly baroque style, vigorous, with marked features, and is ascribed to the pictorial production of Guido Reni's workshop, reviving his youthful manner, with the figures painted in a monumental manner, in high relief, with an occasional use of chiaroscuro.

In particular, our canvas finds correspondences with the painting exhibited at the Kassel Art Gallery (Germany):
Mater Dolorosa, Guido Reni (follower), oil on canvas, 70 x 53 cm. Staatliche Kunstsammlungen — Schloss Wilhelmshöhe (Kassel)

The image was in fact also exploited by the numerous students and collaborators who attended his school, including Giovanni Andrea Sirani, his daughter Elisabetta Sirani and Giovanni Francesco Gessi, among those closest to the master.

The palette, ennobled by the intense lapis lazuli blue of the Virgin's cloak, contrasted with the dark background and the compositional cut rendered from the bottom up, contribute to giving a strongly theatrical and mystical vein to the composition. Furthermore, the pathos contained in the intense expressiveness and the masterful stylistic execution place the painting among the highest results of the painter's religious production.

The high quality level of this intense portrait therefore leads us to attribute the hand to one of his talented students.

Good general conditions, retouching. Gilded frame in good condition, from the 19th century.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:

The painting is accompanied by a certificate of guarantee and authenticity. This piece is attributed to the mentioned designer/maker. It has no attribution mark and no
official proof of authenticity,
however it is well documented in design history. I take full responsibility for any authenticity



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