Agnolo di Cosimo 'il Bronzino' (Firenze 1503-1572)

Agnolo di Cosimo, known as 'il Bronzino' (Monticelli di Firenze, 1503 – Florence, 1572) The Holy Family with Saint John the Baptist Oil on panel (120 x 90 cm - In antique frame 146 x 116 cm) The work comes with the expertise of Professor Stephan D. Pepper, dated 5.12.96 (Rome) Complete details regarding this painting can be viewed directly at the following - LINK - Under examination is a painting of great charm and collectible significance, a high-quality version of the celebrated 'Holy Family with Saint John the Baptist' made in 1528 by Andrea del Sarto (Florence 1486 - 1530), one of the most outstanding exponents among the protagonists of the Florentine High Renaissance. Better known as the "Borgherini Holy Family" after the commissioner Giovanni Borgherini, a member of one of the most important Florentine families of the time, it is now kept at the Metropolitan Museum in New York (Inv. 22.75). Entry on the museum's official website (link) With this grandly solemn composition, Sarto confirmed that he was "the painter without defects," as Giorgio Vasari liked to define him: his figures are masterfully drawn, rendered with splendid chromatic harmony, and finally the relationship between the figures, arranged with an air of nobility, gives us a sublime choreography that joins the four characters. The painting, commissioned in the same year that Florence managed to free itself from the dominion of the Medici and declared itself a Republic, also contains a political meaning, with John the Baptist, the city's patron saint, offering the globe with the cross to the baby Jesus, while continuing to hold it with his hands, symbolizing that both - therefore both the city and the Church - will act as protectors and guarantors of the freedom of the Florentine Republic. Considered one of the most important jewels of the Florentine Renaissance, a masterpiece of the painter's early maturity, it was one of the artist's most admired and copied compositions, enjoying particular fortune among Florentine collectors already at the time: this explains the numerous copies, autograph or from the workshop, which enrich many international museums [1]. Although there is not, in terms of composition, a perfect correspondence between the original and the painting that we propose - which in fact closely follows the compositional structure - there are also differences in the pictorial rendering and the consequent appearance. The very high pictorial quality that distinguishes the present work allows us to associate its authorship with a leading author of Florentine origin from the early sixteenth century, who knew how to restore all the original poetry, albeit personalizing it with his own stylistic imprint. In particular, the pictorial material applied evenly and the superb use of sfumato, with a modelling that leads us – as suggested by Stephan D. Pepper in his report – to find the youthful hand of Agnolo di Cosimo, il Bronzino (Monticelli di Firenze, 1503 – Florence, 1572), undisputed master for the accuracy in the rendering of the pictorial matter and the 'glazing' treatment, with which he made his painting glazed and transparent. Bronzino developed an unmistakable style from his earliest works, unique for its elegance, compositional balance, and chromatic splendor, with a unique pictorial power made possible by a modeling with decisive lines, which gives the figures a sculptural and polished appearance similar to porcelain. Elements such as the spots of light that illuminate the subjects, or the semi-transparent veil of the Madonna, have been rendered here in a virtuosic way. [1] Among the various copies inspired by the Bolgherini Holy Family, made both by the Sarto's workshop and by contemporary authors, and now kept in private and public collections we can mention: - Florence, Uffizi Palazzo Pitti: link - Cesare da Sesto, Candiani Milano: link - Christie’s Rome auction, 5 Jun 2000: link - Sotheby's New York Auction, January 9, 1980: link - Bonaiuti Collection, Rome (Lazio, Italy): link - Gasparrini, Rome (attr. Circignani Nicolò known as il Pomarancio): link The canvas is in excellent condition. Complete with antique frame. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: The work is sold with a certificate of guarantee and authenticity, and a descriptive iconographic sheet. We take care of and organize the transport of purchased works, both for Italy and abroad, through professional and insured carriers. It is our duty to advise that, given the delicacy of some particular antique frames, there is the possibility that during transport small lesions of the gilding may occur, despite the packaging being carried out with the utmost care. It is also possible to see the painting in the gallery in Riva del Garda, we will be happy to welcome you to show you our collection of works. Contact us, without obligation, for any further information. Follow us also on: https://www.instagram.com/galleriacastelbarco/?hl=it https://www.facebook.com/galleriacastelbarco/