Carlo Maratta, The Angel of the Resurrection, 1700, Oil on Canvas

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Description

Carlo Maratta (Camerano 1625 – Rome 1713), circle

The Angel of the Resurrection Appears to the Soldiers

Oil on canvas … Read more Carlo Maratta (Camerano 1625 – Rome 1713), circle

The Angel of the Resurrection Appears to the Soldiers

Oil on canvas mounted on panel
58 x 67 cm - framed 77 x 86 cm.

The painting, with its dramatic layout that highlights the figures, depicts an episode of the Resurrection. As reported in the Gospel of Matthew (Mt 28:1-7), an angel announces the Resurrection of Jesus to the Roman soldiers guarding the tomb.

The event is described as a powerful earthquake, caused by the descent of the angel of the Lord from heaven, who rolls away the stone that closed the tomb, opening it, and unleashing an explosion of light and flashes so powerful that they knock the frightened guards to the ground.

The angel, depicted as dazzling with large white wings and pale robes, is contrasted with the dark armor and red cloaks of the soldiers: he represents the power of God who defeats death and therefore does not interact directly with men, who experience his divine majesty.

The painting stands out for the sweetness of the image and the sense of divinity one experiences before the angelic, supernatural figure, which the painter has captured with delicacy and charm. The angel's face, serene and victorious, looks down but points toward the Light, contrasting with the poses of the soldiers prostrate on the ground, which effectively convey the agitation and dismay.

Stylistically, the work presented here can be attributed to an artist close to the master Carlo Maratta (Camerano 1625 – Rome 1713), one of the greatest exponents of seventeenth-century classicism, or to an artist active in his flourishing workshop.

Considered the spiritual heir of Raphael and Annibale Carracci, Maratta developed a style that balanced the impetus of the Baroque with a taste for classicism in design, two contrasting tendencies that he successfully reconciled with surprising results, especially in his religious works.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:

The work is sold complete with a black and gold lacquered wooden frame and comes 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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