Pittore bambocciante romano del XVII secolo

Carnival Scene in 17th Century Rome (in Piazza Colonna) Roman school of the Bamboccianti (mid-17th century) - workshop of Michelangelo Cerquozzi (Rome 1602 – Rome 1660) Oil on canvas 74 x 96 cm. - Framed 88 x 110 cm. Complete details of the work (click HERE) In the context of a large square crowded with masked and costumed characters, the painting depicts a lively scene during the festivities of the Carnival of Rome in the 17th century, and is therefore a very interesting testimony to the customs of the time. The painting is set in Piazza Colonna, with a fragment of the famous Column of Marcus Aurelius, entirely worked in bas-reliefs, and surrounded by some of the most important historical buildings in Rome; in particular, we recognize Palazzo Ferrajoli and Palazzo Chigi. A city event with ancient origins - inspired by the Saturnalia of the ancient Romans, in which slaves were elevated to the rank of masters, subverting the ordinary social order - the Carnival, from the 16th century, became one of the main celebrations of pontifical Rome, and one of the richest and most unbridled in Europe, reaching the Renaissance becoming more popular and renowned than the Venetian one. Not simply a festival but an integral part of the culture of the City: as in antiquity, the Roman oligarchies also granted the population, especially the humblest classes, a period dedicated to entertainment. The entire citizenry participated, the poor mingled with the powerful, being able to mock them publicly, protected by the anonymity of the masks: a sort of leveling of all social divisions was obtained and even public ridicule of authorities and aristocracy was authorized. People in masks paraded, disguised as the main characters of the Commedia dell'Arte, especially in Roman style. Thus, Via Lata (the current Via del Corso), Piazza Colonna and Piazza Venezia became the places dedicated to the unfolding of the festival, allowing the people (and also the masked lords) to take possession of the official nature of the festival. Among the various painters who depicted carnival scenes, a prominent place belongs to the Roman Michelangelo Cerquozzi (Rome 1602 – 1660), to whose workshop we can easily trace the work of our work. Active mainly in Rome, Cerquozzi became known for his belonging to the Caravaggesque popular Roman current - defined as the 'school of the Bamboccianti' - a pictorial movement to which Flemish, Dutch and Italian painters adhered, which favored simple themes with popular scenes drawn from daily life of Rome at that time. And the Carnival, which lent itself perfectly to a popular narrative iconography, was therefore a typical subject of the "bambocciata": Several carnival-themed works by Cerquozzi are preserved in various museums and collections, as well as many other authors belonging to the current, such as Jan Miel (see Carnival in Rome, 1653, Madrid Prado Museum), Johannes Lingelbach (see Carnival in Rome, 1650/1651 Kunsthistorisches Museum). ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: The painting is sold complete with a pleasant antique frame and is accompanied by a certificate of authenticity and a descriptive iconographic card. We take care of and organize the transport of purchased works, both for Italy and abroad, through professional and insured carriers. If you wish to see this or other works in person, we will be happy to welcome you in our new gallery in Riva del Garda, in Viale Giuseppe Canella 18. We are waiting for you! Contact us for any information or to organize a visit, we will be happy to answer you. Follow us also on: https://www.instagram.com/galleriacastelbarco/?hl=it https://www.facebook.com/galleriacastelbarco/