Westcoast Fine Art has dated this piece to the 19th Century.
Title: A 19th century portrait after the old master painting of Saint Agatha
Period: circa 1850-1900
Medium: Oil on canvas
Provenance: From a private London collection and leading UK fine art auction house.
Overall measurements with the frame are 133 x 103cm x 8cm and the painting measured at 106cm x 80cm
Skilfully painted, this version has one variation from the original where the artist devised to omit the blood from the tunic of the sitter, perhaps to make the subject more acceptable to the tastes of the period. It does still follow the concept of the original.
This work is of very large propositions and is highly decorative and in fine restored, lined condition. It is housed in a beautiful frame.
Saint Agatha was a 3rd-century virgin martyr who died for her Christian faith. She rejected the advances of a Roman prefect and was tortured for her beliefs. Her torture included having her breasts cut off, which is why she is often depicted with blood stains on her shirt or holding her severed breasts.
The painting is characterised by the use of chiaroscuro, a technique employing strong contrasts between light and dark. It is considered by art historians to be one of the most intense psychological portraits and a notable example of Neapolitan art from the 17th century. Saint Agatha is the patron saint of breast cancer patients, wet nurses, and bell ringers.
Francesco Guarino or Guarini (1611 - 1654) was an Italian painter of the Baroque period, active mainly in the mountainous area east of Naples called Irpinia, and in other areas of the Kingdom of Naples, chiefly Campania, Apulia, and Molise. The painter moved to Naples to work in the studio of Massimo Stanzione. In Naples, like many of his contemporaries there, he was influenced by the style of Caravaggio.
Condition report: In excellent restored and lined condition.
Please note:
The frame that is included in the pictures above has been added to the artwork by a third party/the seller, as such it’s not an integral part of the object. The frame is being provided to you at no additional costs so that when your artwork arrives at your house you can immediately display it on your wall. As such any damages to the frame itself, that do not affect the integrity of the artwork, cannot be accepted as a valid reason to open a claim or request a cancellation.
Westcoast Fine Art has dated this piece to the 19th Century.
Westcoast fine art ltd is a UK based dealer in fine classical works of art.
You can view the stock and full dealer information on the Westcoast Fine Art Profile Page
Portrait of Saint Agatha, 19th Century Italian School, After Francesco Guarino (1611–1654)
