SOLD- Jael and Sisera - Painting on canvas by Onorio Marinari

The painting represents Sisera and Jael, one of the heroines of the Old Testament. After attracting Sisera, the Canaanite general fleeing from the Israeli army, into her tent, Jael kills him in his sleep by driving a tent peg into his skull. The painted scene does not take on bloody overtones; on the contrary, it is pervaded by a calm atmosphere that, at first impression, might seem almost idyllic. Nothing emerges from the shadow of the background except the two figures. The warrior Sisera lies reclining in a restorative sleep and it almost seems as if he is resting his head on the lap of the delightful Jael, dressed in an elegant blue and red silk dress and with her hair gathered in a refined hairstyle. Only by looking at the girl's arms and hands does one notice that she is armed with a picket and hammer and, without hesitation, looks at the unsuspecting general before striking him. The painting is accompanied by the expertise of the well-known Art Historian Mina Gregori dated 3-2-1993, who attributes the paternity "without any doubt" to the painter ONORIO MARINARI (Florence 1627/1715), follower and cousin of Carlo Dolci. 85.5X71.5 WITHOUT FRAME 108X93 with frame