Lucas de la Haye / Luca Fiammingo, Saint Cecilia, 1650, Oil on Canvas, Framed

Details

Description

Lucas de la haye, known as luca fiammingo (nivelles, 1612–rome, 1682)

saint cecilia and two cherubs

oil on canvas
118 … Read more Lucas de la haye, known as luca fiammingo (nivelles, 1612–rome, 1682)

saint cecilia and two cherubs

oil on canvas
118 x 91 cm. - framed 129 x 102 cm.
expertise by prof. Emilio negro (bologna)

this evocative painting, which we are pleased to exhibit, features saint cecilia at the center of the composition. She was a roman noblewoman who later converted to christianity and was a highly regarded figure in the baroque period as the patron saint of music, instrumentalists, and singers. She is depicted here as a splendid young woman dressed in regal robes, intent on playing a musical instrument watched over by angelic presences.

the detail of her upward gaze, irradiated by a mystical and divine light, is beautiful and evocative, for it is precisely through music that the saint ascends toward the divine.

regarding the stylistic characteristics, it should be noted that the painting in question is by a talented master active in the mid-17th century. Specifically, based on the use of warm, balanced hues to soften the chiaroscuro contrasts, it is of tuscan or roman origin.

the artist's work 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 early decades of the 17th century by the bolognese guido reni, and then by the talented andrea sacchi in rome. The influences of several foreign artists, also active in rome during the same period, should not be overlooked; among these, the works of simon vouet are particularly noteworthy.

this explains why our canvas reveals both the refined bolognese culture of reni, francesco albani, and domenichino, as well as the more advanced roman pictorial narrative of the 17th century, derived from knowledge of the finest works of pietro da cortona: the generally warm hues of this saint cecilia and two cherubs anticipate the salon refinements that presage the baroque movement from beyond the alps, that trendy artistic movement so beloved by the cultured roman aristocracy of the 17th century.

looking closely at 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 refined master active in italy during the 17th century.

as a carmelite friar, his works were highly sought after by his order, as well as by noblemen and wealthy merchants of the time;

to prove the attribution proposed here, it will suffice to compare our canvas with other works by lucas de la haye, such as the assumption of the virgin (1) and especially 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 sees the vision of the angel (4) (church of s. Maria della scala, rome).

the paintings listed here, like ours, reveal the typical style of the flemish master: imaginative and classicist, achieved with warm hues and flashes of light, yet ready to embrace roman and emilian influences with ease.
additional information:

the work is presented in a beautiful gold frame and is sold with a certificate of authenticity and guarantee. 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



issues arising from misattribution See less