Circle of Pietro da Cortona / Berrettini, Christ in the Desert, 1650, Oil on Canvas

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Description

Christ Surrounded by Angels in the Desert

Circle of Pietro da Cortona, born Pietro Berrettini (Cortona 1597 – Rome 1669)

… Read more Christ Surrounded by Angels in the Desert

Circle of Pietro da Cortona, born Pietro Berrettini (Cortona 1597 – Rome 1669)

Oil on canvas (66 x 50 cm - Framed 80 x 64 cm)

This painting, of remarkable quality and artistic quality, is a late 17th-century work by a Roman artist. It illustrates the rare Gospel episode of the temptations of Christ when, after his baptism, he was led by the Holy Spirit into the desert, where he remained for forty days tempted by the devil.

We see, in particular, the epilogue of this episode, where a jubilation of angels approaches to refresh Christ, victorious but prostrate after having resisted temptation. In the background of the scene is a rock face from which a stream flows, perhaps alluding to the waters of the Jordan and therefore to his baptism.

Christ is portrayed kneeling, his hands raised in prayer and gratitude, surrounded by four large winged angels, one of whom is serving him food while the others watch him devoutly; another is bowed before him, a sign of recognition for his will and strength in resisting evil. In the upper section, completing the composition, a group of joyful cherubs in flight prepare to support a large basket overflowing with fruit.

There is no longer any trace of the diabolical figures who tempted him; the setting is celestial, and this riot of angels and cherubs, the water gushing from the rock, and the beam of light piercing the clouds, amplify this sense of spirituality.

An analysis of the stylistic and figurative features demonstrates its affiliation with the Roman school of the mid-17th century, capable of expressing a refined style and successfully blending the Baroque language, by definition sumptuous, with elements of classicist influence.

In particular, the work can be traced back to the circle of painters active in the orbit of Pietro Berrettini, known as Pietro da Cortona, one of the exponents of the Baroque school, whose Roman workshop consisted of a flourishing group of students, influenced by the master and disseminators of his pictorial language.

Among these, we can mention Guillaume Courtois, known as Borgognone (Saint-Hippolite 1628 - Rome 1679), Ciro Ferri (Rome 1633 - 1689), and finally Lazzaro Baldi (Pistoia 1622 - Rome 1703), with whom our canvas displays a strong stylistic consonance.

The canvas is in excellent condition. Gilded wooden box frame, 19th century

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:

The work is sold with a certificate of authenticity and an iconographic . 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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