Workshop of Carlo Maratta, Floral Angels, 1697, Oil on Board

Details

Description

Pair of angels with a floral festoon and a cartouche with the family motto 'pulchriora latent'
workshop of carlo maratta … Read more Pair of angels with a floral festoon and a cartouche with the family motto 'pulchriora latent'
workshop of carlo maratta (camerano, 1625 - rome, 1713)

dated on the parchment, right: 1697
oil on panel (94 x 84 cm - framed 105 x 95 cm)

this magnificent composition, depicting two small fluttering cupids holding a garland of flowers, can be attributed, both in terms of its stylistic features and compositional taste, to a master active in the vibrant baroque rome of the 17th century.

one of the two cupids playfully reaches for the garland's tassel, his head downward, while in his other hand he holds out a parchment bearing, in addition to the date of execution, the latin phrase "pulchriora latent" ("the most beautiful things are hidden"), which could likely be a reference to the motto of the commissioning family.

a second winged putto, perched on a cloud, watches the scene, clutching the other end of the garland, richly adorned with various types of flowers, enriching the composition with a still life of excellent quality.

the iconography of cherubs with flowers was common in the baroque period, especially in rome. It was congenial to the new bourgeoisie, who desired more illusionistic and frivolous images for their residences. They therefore aspired to a highly decorative type of painting, depicting jubilant cherubs, angels, or cherubs, of which our panel is a prime example.

looking into the composition's details, its inventiveness, along with the stunning lighting and color effects, leads us to link its authorship to the inventive flair of the workshop of carlo maratta (1625–1713). Note how the soft curves of the playful cherubs, the brushstrokes that define their flowing hair, and their soft flesh tones are characteristic elements of his art.

in particular, it is worth mentioning the series of paintings commissioned in 1692 by the banker francesco montioni for his palace in rome (works of palazzo montioni, rome: link), which maratta himself executed with the collaboration of his protégé franz werner von tamm (1658-1724). Again in collaboration with tamm, carlo maratta repeated these compositions for marchese nicolò maria pallavicini.

this still life iconography immediately found an echo among roman collectors and was subsequently replicated and varied on numerous occasions. Among these, the "garland of flowers with cupids" (sotheby's, london, july 6, 1994, no. 115) finds parallels with our painting:

a peculiarity that makes this work unique is that the panel is also painted on the back with two vertical ornaments featuring acanthus leaf motifs, which appear to be carved in trompe l'oeil style. It is likely that they were originally used as doors for a chamber organ.

excellent condition.

additional information:

the work is sold with a certificate of authenticity and a descriptive iconographic sheet. 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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