Francesco Noletti 'il Maltese' (1611-1654)

Francesco Noletti known as the Maltese (Malta 1611-Rome 1654) Workshop/circle of Still life with musical instruments, games, armor, fabrics and precious objects Oil on canvas (52 x 78 cm - framed 71 x 102) The complete details of this work are available directly from the following - LINK - This painting, with its beautiful scenic effect, depicts a still life composed of a rich display of precious objects, arranged in apparent disarray, partly on a table and partly on the ground, all theatrically behind a hanging drape from which tassels dangle. Among the objects that our author has reproduced, we can see parts of a parade armor with gold borders, jugs and plates in precious metals, musical instruments including a tambourine with its sticks and a stringed instrument, a lute and sheet music. The singular composition is completed by precious finely chiseled metal containers, embossed and gilded, and a chessboard. It is very important to understand the meaning of these images which, in addition to the aesthetics of decoration, are full of allegorical values, so much so that they can be interpreted as refined Vanitas. It is a representation that invited reflection on the futility of vainglory (here symbolized by the arms), pleasures (the musical instruments) and earthly riches (the precious objects). The pictorial characteristics declare that the work was executed during the 17th century by a good artist of the Italian school, attentive to the details and precious stylistic features drawn from the teachings of the best contemporary Flemish masters and of previous generations. The evident post-Caravaggio Roman cadences are also highlighted, visible in the robust contrasts of light and in the dense and overflowing pictorial material: all reasons that allow us to assign the painting to Francesco Fieravino known as the Maltese. Active mainly in the city of Rome, the painter was extremely prolific and benefited from extraordinary success with collectors of the time, by virtue of excellent creativity and the invention of singular still lifes. His presence and the notoriety achieved are testified by the multiple compositions that have been returned to him in recent times, once kept in the most important public and private collections, such as those of the Albani, the Barberini, the Chigi and the Colonna. Adhering above all to ideals of baroque composition, the artist produced an exceptional amount of paintings enriched with carpets and curtains covering tables and shelves, armor, flowers and fruits arranged in disarray with some precious objects, musical instruments and framed images or mirrors. His exuberant and lavish style profoundly influenced countless artists, such as Giovanni Domenico Valentini, Carlo Manieri and Antonio Tibaldi, with whom his works are often mistakenly confused. Almost as a tribute to its ancient destination, many works by the Maltese are now embellishing private collections; however, it is possible to remember the two examples kept at the Muzeum Narodowe w Kielcach, located in the Palace of the Bishops of Krakow, as well as the Still Life with a helmet kept at the Hermitage Museum in Saint Petersburg. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: The painting is sold complete with a pleasant wooden frame and is accompanied by a certificate of authenticity and a descriptive iconographic sheet. We take care of and organize the transport of the 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/