17th-century Neapolitan School, the Assumption of San Gennaro, Sacred Religious Old Master Painting

17th century

Sold by Brave Fine Art

Description

A 17th-century Neapolitan School depiction of the Assumption Of San Gennaro. This energetic and evocative painting was almost certainly designed for public worship.

The central figure, San Gennaro (or Saint Januarius), is the patron saint of Naples and his bones are preserved at Naples Cathedral. He’s believed to have been martyred during the Christian persecution under Emperor Diocletian and this forms an aspect of the painting.

Note how the artist has shown contrast between the violence below and the celestial heavens above. San Gennaro is emerging from the ravages of persecution - inches away from the world that awaits him. Fellow Christians are slaughtered as a myriad of icons draw him closer.

There’s an abundance of iconography in this piece and it’s typical of Neapolitan painters from the period. At the time, Naples was recovering from the devastation of the Plague and many works feature violence, loss and anguish. But the message here is one of hope - that despite the brutality on Earth, each of us has a chance for salvation.

The composition is close to several works by the Neapolitan painter, Paolo de Matteis (1662-1728) so it's plausible that the artist worked within his circle.

The painting is housed within a fine 18th-century carved and gilded frame.

Medium: Oil on canvas

Overall size: 30½” x 42½” / 78cm x 108cm

Year of creation: c. 1690

Provenance: Rome, Italy

Condition: Various restorations over the years as you would expect. Canvas relined. Craquelure throughout and several minor paint losses but the paint layer is broadly stable. Old wormholes in the stretcher. The pigments retain a good level of vibrancy. Frame with age-related wear and losses.

Physical Dimensions

Height

108cm (42.52")

Width

78cm (30.71")

Depth

3cm (1.18")

Declaration

Brave Fine Art has dated this piece to the 17th Century.

Reference Numbers

Sellingantiques Reference

SA843116

Description

A 17th-century Neapolitan School depiction of the Assumption Of San Gennaro. This energetic and evocative painting was almost certainly designed for public worship.

“

The central figure, San Gennaro (or Saint Januarius), is the patron saint of Naples and his bones are preserved at Naples Cathedral.

Brave Fine Art

He’s believed to have been martyred during the Christian persecution under Emperor Diocletian and this forms an aspect of the painting.

fig 1. 17th-Century Neapolitan School, The Assumption Of San Gennaro, Sacred Religious Old Master Painting — fig 1. 17th-century Neapolitan School, the Assumption of San Gennaro, Sacred Religious Old Master Painting

Note how the artist has shown contrast between the violence below and the celestial heavens above. San Gennaro is emerging from the ravages of persecution - inches away from the world that awaits him. Fellow Christians are slaughtered as a myriad of icons draw him closer.

fig 2. 17th-Century Neapolitan School, The Assumption Of San Gennaro, Sacred Religious Old Master Painting — fig 2. 17th-century Neapolitan School, the Assumption of San Gennaro, Sacred Religious Old Master Painting

There’s an abundance of iconography in this piece and it’s typical of Neapolitan painters from the period. At the time, Naples was recovering from the devastation of the Plague and many works feature violence, loss and anguish. But the message here is one of hope - that despite the brutality on Earth, each of us has a chance for salvation.

fig 3. 17th-Century Neapolitan School, The Assumption Of San Gennaro, Sacred Religious Old Master Painting — fig 3. 17th-century Neapolitan School, the Assumption of San Gennaro, Sacred Religious Old Master Painting

The composition is close to several works by the Neapolitan painter, Paolo de Matteis (1662-1728) so it's plausible that the artist worked within his circle.

The painting is housed within a fine 18th-century carved and gilded frame.

fig 4. 17th-Century Neapolitan School, The Assumption Of San Gennaro, Sacred Religious Old Master Painting — fig 4. 17th-century Neapolitan School, the Assumption of San Gennaro, Sacred Religious Old Master Painting

Medium: Oil on canvas

Overall size: 30½” x 42½” / 78cm x 108cm

Year of creation: c. 1690

Provenance: Rome, Italy

Condition: Various restorations over the years as you would expect. Canvas relined. Craquelure throughout and several minor paint losses but the paint layer is broadly stable. Old wormholes in the stretcher. The pigments retain a good level of vibrancy. Frame with age-related wear and losses.