Workshop of Guido Reni, Saint Michael the Archangel, 1650, Oil on Canvas

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Saint michael the archangel
workshop of guido reni (1575 - 1642)

first half of the 17th century

oil on canvas … Read more Saint michael the archangel
workshop of guido reni (1575 - 1642)

first half of the 17th century

oil on canvas (132 x 90 cm. - framed 143 x 102 cm.)

the saint michael the archangel depicted in this splendid painting reproduces in great detail the work created by guido reni in 1635 for the capuchin church, in the heart of via veneto in rome. The church was built with a donation from cardinal antonio barberini (1569-1646), brother of urban viii, to the capuchin order. It was the cardinal himself who commissioned the altarpiece from guido reni, who, at the height of his artistic maturity and fame, had by then settled in bologna, where he painted the canvas and sent it to rome.

the canvas presented here, given its period and its excellent quality, is certainly the work of an artist from reni's prolific workshop, still active in the first half of the 17th century, presumably by one of his skilled collaborators.

the archangel michael, engaged in the battle against evil, is depicted as a youth of rare beauty, simultaneously strong and delicate. With his sword drawn, he pushes an angry devil back to hell, trampling his head underfoot.

the soft, colorful drapes envelop the angel's body in an intense classicism within a balanced composition that highlights the celestial beauty of the angelic face, also magnificently rendered in our version.

guido reni went to rome in 1602, after a long training in bologna to enrich his artistic knowledge. Here, as in his native bologna, he was already renowned as an interpreter of the tastes of the most culturally influential circles, earning the patronage of great figures such as popes paul v, urban viii, and scipione borghese.

the painting was immediately recognized and esteemed by his contemporaries, and it enjoyed incredible success, thanks in part to the controversy it sparked. A well-known rumor of the time suggested that reni had painted satan's face in the likeness of cardinal giovanni battista pamphili (the future pope innocent x), with whom the painter had had serious disagreements.

guido reni's cunning was to exploit the historic rivalry between two of the most influential roman families of the 17th century, the barberini and the pamphili, for his own personal revenge, while simultaneously bringing his work sudden fame.

very good condition, with scattered restorations on the painted surface.

additional information:

the work sold 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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