Flemish School Artist, Lot and His Daughters, Late 16th-Early 17th Century, Oil on Panel, Framed

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The oil painting on panel depicts a famous episode from biblical history narrated in the book of Genesis: Lot is … Read more The oil painting on panel depicts a famous episode from biblical history narrated in the book of Genesis: Lot is fleeing the city of Sodom, which is burning in the background as divine punishment, and having taken refuge in a cave, dazed by wine, he will be seen lying with two of his daughters to ensure his lineage. This panel shows interesting pictorial qualities, and stylistically we can deduce that it was produced between the last quarter of the 16th century and the first of the 17th century in a Flemish context. More precisely, it is likely to have been executed by a painter belonging to the flourishing school of Antwerp. Already from the second half of the 16th century, the largest commercial port in Northern Europe was in full economic and artistic development and counted numerous important masters. Among these, Jan Matsys (Antwerp 1510-1575), a member of a dynasty of excellent painters, made an important contribution to the updating of 16th-century Flemish painting. He first studied Mannerism in Italy, between Florence and Rome, and then at Fontainebleau, importing these skills to Flanders, where they progressively spread through the various Flemish artistic schools throughout the second half of the century. Another important master with similar experiences was Frans Floris (Antwerp 1517-1570), who, in love with Italian painting seen in Rome and Venice, opened a studio with over 100 students upon his return to his homeland, following the canons of Italian models in his teachings. It is precisely in this large workshop that we find important similarities both in terms of iconography and figuration, as well as in the particularly glazed manner of coloring. The painting evokes a certain attention to the care of details, for example in the complexions of the characters, or in the iridescent reflections of light that break against the cadences of the drapery of luxurious fabrics. Typical of this artistic production is the presence of a small still life of fruit, placed on a tray and exquisitely crafted. The painting is in perfect condition and does not require any restoration. As can be seen, the panel shows the classic horizontal cracking of Flemish panels of the period, which helps us to understand that the panel is old and original. Panel dimensions 65cm x 50cm with frame 79cm x 68cm The sale will be accompanied by a legal certificate of historical authenticity from our antique gallery. See less