Pittore guercinesco del XVII secolo

Workshop of Giovanni Francesco Barbieri, known as Il Guercino (Cento, 1591 - Bologna, 1666) Attributable to Bartolomeo Gennari (Cento, 1594 - Bologna, 1661) Saint Mark the Evangelist Oil on canvas - 85 x 71 cm, framed 100 x 86 cm Complete painting details directly on - link - This precious 17th-century painting, of great character and excellent quality, depicts Saint Mark the Evangelist, portrayed in half-bust, in profile towards the right, intent on sharpening his quill pen. In the dark background, on the right, a bookcase with several volumes, an inkwell and a cartouche can be glimpsed, elements that allude to his role, and the lion with the open Gospel, attributes of the Saint. The Evangelist, with the features of a young man with a beard and thick hair, of strong expressive vigor, is dressed in a tunic highlighted by an intense red, covered on the shoulders by a blue cloak. The iconography originates from the series of the four Evangelists created between 1615 and 1623 by Guercino commissioned by Cardinal Alessandro d'Este, brother of Duke Cesare d'Este, then sold in 1746 to Augustus III of Saxony and now at the Gemäldegalerie in Dresden. Our canvas therefore shows its evident belonging to the close circle of the 17th-century Emilian master: the executive technique and the stylistic features agree with those of a work datable still in the first half of the 17th century, which manifests the characteristics of an artist of close Guercino circle, well informed about the pictorial novelties conceived by the master, and therefore presumably active within his prestigious workshop. In our specific case, the independent typological characters correspond to those of the painting of Bartolomeo Gennari (Conto, 1594 - Bologna, 1661), a painter who was constantly active alongside Barbieri. During the years of his lasting career, Bartolomeo dedicated himself stably to the creation of works and derivations from the compositions of Guercino, for this reason he is estimated as one of the best official copyists of the master, who habitually assigned him the replicas of his best inventions, sometimes intervening in person to perfect them and make them difficult to distinguish from the paintings of total Guercino autograph. The painting is completed by a beautiful wooden frame. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: The painting is sold with a certificate of authenticity and descriptive iconographic sheet. We take care of and organize the transport of purchased works, both for Italy and abroad, through professional and insured carriers. Contact us for any information, we will be happy to answer you. Follow us also on: https://www.instagram.com/galleriacastelbarco/?hl=it https://www.facebook.com/galleriacastelbarco/