Triumph Of The Trinity, Paolo De Matteis (naqples, 1662 - Naples, 1728)

Paolo De Matteis (Piano del Cilento, 1662 - Naples, 1728)
attributed/ workshop

Triumph of the Trinity with Our Lady, Saint Joseph, Saint John the Baptist, Saint Ignatius, Saint Francis Xavier and Saint Augustine
(Preparatory sketch for altarpiece)

Oil on canvas
76 x 51 cm - with frame 85 x 61 cm

This interesting painting, depicting the Triumph of the Trinity, stands out for the refined but natural grace of the faces and gestures, and the precision of the drawing combined with the soft tone of the colours, warm but vivid, present this painting with the refined taste of early 18th century Naples tempered by Roman aesthetics.

These clues allow us to circumscribe its authorship to the workshop of Paolo De Matteis (Piano del Cilento, 1662 - Naples, 1728), one of Luca Giordano's most important pupils in Naples, and an artist who was to mark the development of 18th-century Neapolitan art.

The strong imprint inherited from Giordano's works can be seen in the composition, mixed, however, with a pleasant Marattesque taste, although De Matteis tends to balance the two components, achieving a balance in the representation of the scene.

The painting depicts the triumphant Trinity with at the top centre - Jesus holding the cross, God the Father and the Holy Spirit in the form of a dove - with the Madonna and St Joseph on opposite sides seated on a cloud.

On the lower level is the theory of saints kneeling in adoration of the Trinity: from the left, one can recognise St. John the Baptist holding the palm in his right hand, the symbol of martyrdom, St. Ignatius, founder of the Jesuit congregation, St. Francis Xavier with a youthful face holding a white lily, and finally, on the far right, the figure of Augustine dressed as a bishop and with a mature face.

The structure of the painting clearly indicates that we are dealing with a valuable preparatory sketch, presumably a study for a fresco or larger altarpiece; this suggests that the final work was intended for the decoration of the bay of a church or private chapel.


ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:

The painting is sold complete with an attractive gilded frame and is accompanied by a certificate of authenticity and descriptive iconographic card.

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