After Antonio Molinari, Madonna, 1600s-1700s, Oil Painting, Framed

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Antonio Molinari (Venice, 1655-1704) attributed

Madonna and Child with the Infant Saint John the Baptist

Oil on copper (24 x … Read more Antonio Molinari (Venice, 1655-1704) attributed

Madonna and Child with the Infant Saint John the Baptist

Oil on copper (24 x 20 cm. - Framed 36 x 31 cm.)

The exquisite copperplate we present illustrates a classic subject of Christian devotional art, the Madonna and Child with the Infant Saint John the Baptist. The Virgin Mary occupies the center of the composition, wearing a bright red robe and a blue cloak that covers her legs, her gaze gently downward, conveying a sense of maternal tenderness and contemplation.

She holds the naked Baby Jesus in her arms, who reaches out to Mary's shoulder in a gesture of affection, while he gazes either directly at the viewer or slightly to the side.

The infant Saint John the Baptist (San Giovannino) is depicted in the lower right, in a gesture of profound adoration, leaning forward as he kisses the Child's feet, symbolizing his mission as a precursor who recognizes the divinity of Christ. The composition plays on the interplay of their gazes and delicate gestures, creating an atmosphere of intimate sacredness.

The three protagonists are rendered with a marked volumetric and three-dimensional effect, with the light striking the bodies of the two children and the face of the Virgin, highlighting the volumes and softness of their flesh tones. Finally, the pyramidal composition lends balance and stability to the sacred scene.

The work is characterized by a formal elegance, a sensitivity to light, and a vibrant use of color that allow us to attribute its authorship to an exponent of Venetian painting between the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries, and specifically to the hand of Antonio Molinari (Venice, 1655-1704), one of the most authoritative representatives of this movement, who here displayed his excellent pictorial skill.

He distinguished himself in the Venetian art scene precisely for his production of religious room paintings, intended for private collections, often produced in series or with the support of the workshop to satisfy private demand. These paintings were used to decorate noble palaces, combining devotional purposes with aesthetics and social prestige.

Compared to the "tenebrous" youthful phase inherited from the master Antonio Zanchi, the room paintings display a lighter and more fluid palette, anticipating 18th-century Rococo painting and influencing students such as Giambattista Piazzetta.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:

The work is sold complete with a beautiful gold frame and comes 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



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