The Guardian Angel

(The Archangel Raphael showing the way to Tobias)

Oil on canvas

136 x 99 cm.

Framed: 150 x 112 cm.

The central figure of this painting is the Archangel Raphael, depicted whilst protecting a young boy [1]: the meaning of this iconography, which became particularly widespread between the 16th and 17th centuries, has taken on a broader significance over time, eventually becoming the emblem of the guardian angel whose task is to protect every human being.

[1] In the ‘Book of Tobit’, the angel Raphael was invoked by Tobit, a righteous and poor man, to accompany his son Tobiah on a journey; Raphael showed Tobiah the safest route and saved him on more than one occasion, without ever revealing himself as an angel until the end of the story.

The angel is depicted here in the customary guise of a young man with delicate features and a robe characterised by ample drapery. The young boy, innocently frightened, turns his eyes towards the sky, where, through a break in the clouds, the light of divine grace appears.

The painting stands out for the tenderness of the image and for the sense of ecstasy one feels when faced with ‘that flight’ – a supernatural moment which the painter has managed to immortalise with delicacy and charm.

From a stylistic point of view, although the setting of the scene is linked to a still-Baroque sensibility – particularly in terms of the composition’s structure – this tendency is tempered by a more classical approach, typical of the Roman art scene between the 17th and 18th centuries, and specifically of the works of Carlo Maratta (Camerano 1625 – Rome 1713).

The canvas fully displays the formal grace, compositional balance and Raphael-inspired classicism typical of the painter from the Marche region.

Although it is difficult to identify a specific name for the artist behind this work, he must nevertheless be sought amongst the numerous pupils of Maratta’s workshop, who revisited this subject on various occasions and in different variations,

gaining extraordinary renown above all thanks to its printed adaptations, which made these precise depictions of the guardian angel extremely popular models in the 17th and 18th centuries, often replicated with variations by numerous pupils and copyists within his circle.

Fig. 1 – Guardian Angel, Carlo Maratta, Print (Pavia Civic Museums)

Fig. 2 – Guardian Angel, Carlo Maratta (attributed), Print (Pavia Civic Museums)

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:

The painting is complete with a lovely gilded frame and is accompanied by a certificate of authenticity and a descriptive iconographic sheet.

We arrange and organise the transport of purchased works, both within Italy and abroad, using professional, insured carriers.

Should you wish to view this or other works in person, we would be delighted to welcome you to our new gallery in Riva del Garda, at Viale Giuseppe Canella 18. We look forward to seeing you!

Please contact us for any further information or to arrange a visit; we’ll be happy to assist you.

Follow us on: