Matteo Ghidoni (Firenze 1626-Padova 1700)

"The Merry Beggars" Matteo Ghidoni (Florence 1626-Padua 1700) Oil on canvas Frame in gilded wood, richly carved Canvas dimensions 60 x 72, frame 91 x 103 The work is in excellent condition. All the details of the painting on the private website: https://www.antichitaischia.it/it/prodotto/gli-allegri-mendicanti The canvas, besides being very pleasing, is truly interesting and astonishing for how much joyous lightheartedness this group of characters dressed in rags manages to spread. Among the countless delightful animated scenes with characters of peasant extraction described by the famous Flemish masters and the Italian "Bamboccianti", the depiction of a group of beggars is rare, if not impossible to find. Instead of capturing the typical rural but still dignified context, the author proposes an unusual scene, where the protagonists are evidently paupers who gather in the evening in front of the fire to celebrate the fruits of their begging. The vigorous brushstrokes and the vivid colors with very pronounced chiaroscuro create a pleasant effect of movement and three-dimensionality. The fire, fueled by the child with bellows, illuminates all the figures frontally, which stand out sharply against the dark background of the room. The work, which at first glance might seem Flemish, is actually attributable to the very Italian hand of Matteo Ghidoni, known as Matteo dei Pitocchi, a talented exponent of the pictorial current of the Bamboccianti. In fact, the stylistic characteristics of the figures and especially of the little dog with strongly Italianizing features, lead us directly to his characteristic production. For comparison, see a similar work by Ghidoni in the photo library of the "Federico Zeri Foundation" at the University of Bologna. https://catalogo.fondazionezeri.unibo.it/entry/work/59021/Ghidoni%20Matteo%2C%20Interno%20con%20cont... The painting strikes the viewer with the vivacity of the composition, which, even in its raw reality, conveys a joyous message. We issue a stamped and signed certificate of authenticity that guarantees the period, origin, and all the characteristics of the work, drawn up by an Antique dealer affiliated with FIMA (FEDERAZIONE ITALIANA MERCANTI D'ARTE - ITALIAN FEDERATION OF ART DEALERS). Delivery in Italy and throughout Europe within 3 days of receiving the bank transfer. Shipping is tracked and insured and travels with careful shockproof packaging inside a custom-made wooden crate.