Scipione Pulzone, Madonna, 1600, Oil on Canvas, Framed

Details

Description

Scipione pulzone (gaeta, 1544 – rome, 1598) workshop of

madonna

oil on canvas
55 x 43 cm - framed 63 … Read more Scipione pulzone (gaeta, 1544 – rome, 1598) workshop of

madonna

oil on canvas
55 x 43 cm - framed 63 x 51 cm

this delicate yet intense portrait depicts the virgin mary, her head covered, her gaze downward, most likely observing the body of the infant jesus, whom we can imagine lying on her lap or in the traditional cradle, but we also find her in a similar manner in the virgin of the annunciation.

from an analysis of this work, of excellent quality, we are inclined to attribute it to an artist, presumably active in rome between the 16th and 17th centuries, finding a direct comparison with the works of scipione pulzone (gaeta, 1544 – rome, 1598), one of the greatest exponents of late mannerism and one of the most original interpreters of the counter-reformation era.

renowned for his skills as a portraitist, he also created timeless devotional images of raphaelesque influence, masterfully interpreting post-tridentine ideals, as evidenced by the refined rendering of the facial features in our canvas, still close to the florentine mannerist style.

a direct comparison can be made with the virgin from the duke of devonshire's collection at chatsworth house, noted by federico zeri (image 1 zeri photo archive, no. 32006), but also, considering it as a smaller version of larger paintings, with the madonna of divine providence executed by scipione for the barnabite fathers (image 2 rome, san carlo ai catinari, chapel of the fathers) and with the virgin depicted in the holy family in the borghese gallery (image 3 inv. 313).

this iconic depiction of the virgin was a great success; this is evidenced by the various versions by pulzone cited in various archival sources, as well as the re-editions produced by his workshop to meet the numerous requests for both ecclesiastical and private commissions.

an illustrious example of this derivation is the blessed virgin by marcello venusti, now in the galleria borghese (image 4, inv. 178), believed to be a copy of scipione pulzone's painting, and the virgin, also based on the same prototype and the work of a painter from the same circle, now in the villa borghese pinciana in rome (image 5).

the large number of copies still extant, originally intended as icons for the private worship of the faithful, demonstrates the immense popularity of this image.


additional information:

the painting is sold complete with a beautiful gilded frame and comes with a certificate of authenticity and an accompanying card. Descriptive iconography.

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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