Francesco De Mura, Nude, The Slapping Game, 18th Century, Oil Painting on Canvas, Framed

Details

Description

Francesco De Mura (Naples, 1696 – Naples, 1782) and workshop

The Slapping Game (Jeu de la Main Chaude or Le … Read more Francesco De Mura (Naples, 1696 – Naples, 1782) and workshop

The Slapping Game (Jeu de la Main Chaude or Le Frappe-Main)

Oil on canvas
68 x 136 cm - Antique frame 75 x 141 cm.

This interesting painting, depicting a group of children engaged in the slapping game, typical of the 18th century, is an extremely significant work attributed to the Neapolitan master Francesco de Mura (Naples, 1696 – 1782) and his workshop.

The work is part of a trend that spread throughout Europe in the 18th century, beginning with the many series of images of cherubs playing, and fully reflects the grace, lightness, and sense of pleasure typical of the Rococo style.

Putti (cupids or infant cherubs) abandon Baroque solemnity to become the protagonists of playful and comical scenes, engaging in lighthearted pastimes: they fly kites, blow soap bubbles, fight with fake wooden swords, play instruments, or engage in games typical of the period.

Beyond their ornamental function, these carefree subjects symbolize the fleeting nature of youth, innocence, and the triumph of a hedonistic and carefree world, in keeping with the pleasures of life of the time.

And, particularly in eighteenth-century Naples, this theme takes on a fascinating form, where the grace of European Rococo blends with the theatrical vivacity typical of Neapolitan culture. During the Bourbon era, Naples is one of Europe's cultural capitals, and the figure of the playful putto invades noble palaces, churches, and royal factories.
Francesco De Mura, one of the greatest exponents of Neapolitan Rococo, played a central role in the spread of this pictorial trend, interpreting it with his highly personal style based on aristocratic elegance, light colors, and extraordinary scenic luminosity.

Returning to our painting, attributed to Francesco De Mura or a student of his successful workshop, we see the game of slap, in which one player bends over to cover his face while another approaches and delivers a light blow (a slap) to the back, the player then having to guess his identity.

De Mura devoted numerous works to this type of subject, drawing as iconographic sources some prints by the French artist Jacques Stella (1596–1657), taken from a famous series entitled “Les jeux et plaisirs de l’enfance,” dedicated to childhood games and populated by cherubs and children, and in particular number 28, “Le Frappe-Main” (or the “slapping game” or “soldier’s slap”) (image 1).

Another source of inspiration is a series of engravings by Giacinto Gimignani entitled “Scherzi e giuochi diversi de putti” (1647), one of which depicts the slapping game (image 2).

These series of prints became a veritable repertoire of visual models for decorative painters of the 18th-century Rococo period, such as Francesco De Mura in Naples, but also François Boucher in France.

In the case of our author, the Neapolitan artist does not slavishly copy the original prints, but instead reworks them in a fully Rococo style, modifying the poses and dynamics of the bodies according to a precise formal logic. Finally, he does not draw from a single panel, but freely mixes the poses of various prints.

Let's now look at other variations of this precise subject created by De Mura, including two works in particular: one sold at Christie's (image 3, Francesco De Mura, Putti disporting in a landscape, London, July 10, 1992) and a second, with a similar scheme, now at the Italian Consulate General in New York (image 4, Francesco De Mura, Gioco di putti, New York, Consulate General of Italy).

Francesco De Mura became one of the greatest interpreters and popularizers of this successful secular genre (often used for overdoors, decorations of noble palaces, and furnishings), so much so that it was widely taken up, imitated, and varied by painters in his circle and workshop.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:

The work comes with a beautiful gold frame and a certificate of authenticity and guarantee.

We handle and organize the shipping of purchased works, both in Italy and abroad, using professional and insured carriers. The painting can also be viewed at our gallery in Riva del Garda; we would be happy to welcome you and show you our collection. 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



issues arising from misattribution See less