Roman School of the 18th century

Oil on canvas

106 x 85 cm.

With frame 132 x 111 cm.

Cette toile fascinante, qui nous offre une riche représentation du Jugement dernier, fait partie de la production picturale romaine du XVIIIe siècle, bien qu'il soit difficile de l'attribuer à un auteur précis, étant donné les mélanges bigarrés qui caractérisent son style, de la peinture flamande à la peinture espagnole, qui se mêlent aux traits typiques de l'art italien.

Going into the merits of the composition, the author has skilfully articulated its structure on two scenarios: at the top is Heaven, with the glory of Paradise, and at the bottom Hell, with the damned writhing as they fall towards the flames.

The spatial division into these two segments is emphasised by a completely divergent pictorial drafting, with a marked use of light and a very light and delicate colour scheme for the blessed and, on the other hand, with very marked colours and contrasts and the prevalent use of red to evoke the fire enveloping the damned.

The subject represented, which is very fascinating, is the moment following the unleashing of the Apocalypse, with Christ the judge, the fulcrum of the composition, surrounded by a blazing light, as he pronounces judgement, calling the virtuous and the righteous with him into Paradise and ordering the angels to cast the damned into Hell.

On the left-hand side we can see the group of women - they are the Saints, Virgins, Sibyls and heroines of the Old Testament - who are received by the angels at the intercession of the Virgin, portrayed at the height of Christ while two angels wrap her in a white veil.

Portrayed nude, they are accompanied towards Heaven, making up the great audience of the blessed in the heavenly Paradise.

The lower scene instead sees a chaotic tangle of naked and defenceless bodies, in a representation of intense drama, sucked downwards into the mouth of Hell, announced by the reverberation of flames. All the characters, portrayed with contorted poses, convulsive and sudden movements, express anguish at the solemn moment, in many the terror of what is happening is visible, in others bewilderment or anger.

Among them is a woman who is rising towards the part reserved for the elect despite the fact that many of the damned try to hold her back: she could be Saint Catherine of Alexandria, with the cogwheel.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:

The painting is sold complete with a beautiful gilded wooden frame and comes with a certificate of authenticity and descriptive iconographic card.

We take care of and organise the transport of the purchased works, both for Italy and abroad, through professional and insured carriers.

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