The Flight Into Egypt. Gregorio De Ferrari (1647-1726) And Workshop.

Oil on copper Very beautiful period frame (17th century) in blackened, carved and gilded wood. Model says Salvador Rosa. Dimensions with frame: 45 x 52 cm. Copper alone: 27 x 34 cm. This Italian painting, executed at the turn of the 17th and 18th centuries, represents the rest of the Holy Family in a landscape, fleeing to Egypt guided by angels. Under Joseph's tender gaze, an angel presents Mary with a rolled-up white linen. On the right, the other angel waters the donkey near a well. "Shortly after the birth of the child Jesus, the Holy Family, from Judea, fled to Egypt to escape King Herod who put to death children under two years of age (Massacre of the Innocents) thus wanting to eliminate the future" King of the Jews", an angel having warned Joseph in a dream. They will return seven years later, warned, also by the angel, of Herod's death. This subject, of course, has been covered many times by the old masters. But here, this little table of "private devotion" that we offer is particularly refined! The composition, the delicate color palette, the modeling of the faces and its beautiful period setting, form a quality ensemble. By his very baroque style and his palette of tangy and frank colors, we are moving towards the Genoese artist: Gregorio de Ferrari (1647-1726), Came to Genoa to learn law, he turned to painting and made his apprenticeship with Domenico Fiasella from 1664 to 1669 whom he assisted for the altarpiece of Saint Clare repelling the Saracens (1667, Montoggio). He left for Parma from 1669 to 1673 and worked on quadratura frescoes. Then finally joined his brother-in-law Domenico Piola in his renowned workshop and named Casa Piola. They work together on the frescoes of the Basilica della Santissima Annunziata del Vasstato in Genoa. Their works are clearly in the style of Cortona, Correggio and Castiglione. Their frescoes in the vaults on the second floor of the gallery of the Palazzo Rosso in Genoa, Five senses for four seasons, are renowned. His masterpiece is the Death of Santa Scolastica in San Lorenzo Cathedral in Genoa. He had Francesco Costa as a pupil. With his wife, Margherita Piola, they had a son, Lorenzo De Ferrari, who also became a painter. Very good original condition. Sold with descriptive invoice & certificate of expertise