Antonio Concioli

Antonio Concioli (Pergola, 1739 – Rome, 1820), 1775 Allegory of Charity Oil on canvas, cm 61 x 46.5 With frame, cm 80 x 68 Critical Text by Prof. Giuseppe Sava The painting depicts the Allegory of Charity according to the iconography described in Cesare Ripa's famous volume: a woman dressed in red in the act of lovingly attending to three children, one of whom is in her arms, suckling milk from her breast. This painting is a preparatory model for an important decorative undertaking by the painter Antonio Concioli in the Cathedral of Rieti. Started in 1775, the painter created two large canvases for the chapel of Santa Barbara with scenes from the saint's life. The works from the same year include the four large canvases to be raised in the imposts in the dome of the same chapel; the iconographic program included the three theological virtues: Faith, Hope, and Charity. Concioli, born in Pergola in the Marche region, after initial training in Bologna, moved to Rome, where, thanks to the help of Cardinal Andrea Negroni, he obtained the direction of the Academy of Design in the hospice of S. Michele a Ripa Grande (before 1789), later becoming director of the tapestry factory (probably after 1798). A friend and pupil of Pompeo Batoni (1708-87), who influenced his painting in an academic key, he entered the Academy of S. Luca in April 1781. His noble birth and his skill in art introduced him to the most refined circles of Rome at the time. Concioli became intimate with many of the most important noble families, including the Colonna, the Doria, the Savoy, and the Dukes of Modena. His residence in the Torlonia palace, a place of great prestige, testifies to his high social status. The object is in a good state of preservation.