Le tentazioni di Sant’Antonio
The temptations of Saint Anthony, Camillo Procaccini (Parma 1561 - Milan 1629), workshop of
Camillo Procaccini
(Parma 1561 - Milan 1629)
workshop of
(Parma 1561 - Milan 1629)
workshop of
The temptations of Saint Anthony
Oil on canvas
cm. 32 x 29
cm. 32 x 29
In frame cm. 48 x 43
The suggestive theme of the Temptation of St. Anthony, which spread from the fifteenth century above all in the Flemish context, sees the abbot tempted and tormented during his pilgrimage in the desert, lying on the ground and almost impenetrable to pain, beaten by devils and with iron chains and sticks.
In the painting, in particular, we see two demons, figures that symbolize vice and all the lowest instincts of man, who try to fall upon him. The saint, held firmly on the ground, is harassed by an attractive woman with deformed hands that reach out to the saint, symbolizing the malignant nature of the vice. The woman, individually, is none other than the incarnation of the devil, because not only does she have claws on her hands, but horns also sprout from her hair.
In the work, the classical stylistic expressiveness of the Lombard environment of the early seventeenth century is evident, and in particular it approaches, in terms of era and composer choices, to the painting of Camillo Procaccini, documenting an example of both the fantastic vein.
The work, executed around the early seventeenth century by a painter certainly active in his workshop, reveals that peculiar taste between late mannerism and renewal in a Baroque key celebrated by Procaccini who, initially participant in the sixteenth-century Emilian culture, in Milan renews his art on example of Morazzone, Giulio Cesare Procaccini and Giovan Battista Crespi.
As our beautiful canvas testifies, his is an original painting with figurative choices out of the chorus, aimed at recovering the best legacy of mannerism: refined design, elegance of forms and great ability to amaze the viewer thanks to the themes dealt with.
State of conservation: The canvas is in excellent condition; the ultraviolet lamp examination shows no significant restorations, but some retouching scattered on the surface.
The work is accompanied by photographic authenticity expertise in accordance with the law (FIMA - CINOA). For more information, please contact us.
Engraving by Abraham Bloteling, from the work 'Le tempazioni di Sant'Antonio' by Camillo Procaccini.
