Pier Francesco Mola

Hagar and Ishmael comforted by the angel: Preparatory study for the painting in the Palazzo Colonna collection Oil on canvas 26x40 cm Pier Francesco Mola (1612-1666) stands out as a prominent figure in the Roman painting scene of the 17th century. His art, characterized by remarkable versatility, skillfully fused the suggestions of Venetian colorism, the solidity of Bolognese design, and the grandeur of the Roman tradition in an original way. His artistic training was an eclectic journey, marked by travels and learning under various masters, a wealth of experiences that undoubtedly influenced his approach to sacred and mythological subjects. His career mainly took place in Rome, where he had the opportunity to work for important aristocratic families who acted as patrons, among whom, in all likelihood, the noble Colonna family can also be counted. This work depicts the biblical episode in which Hagar, cast out into the desert with her son Ishmael, is comforted by an angel. Written confirmation by Prof. Petrucci