The Guardian Angel, Ciro Ferri (rome, 1634 - Rome, 1689) Follower Of

Roman painter, 17th-18th century
Ciro Ferri (Rome, 1634 - Rome, 1689) follower of

The Guardian Angel
(Tobiolo with the archangel Raphael)

Oil on tea
100 x 75 cm.
in antique frame 126 x 99 cm.

The protagonist of our pleasing canvas is the Archangel Raphael, immortalised while protecting a child [1]. The meaning of this iconography, which became widespread mainly between the 16th and 17th centuries, has over time taken on a broader significance, thus ending up becoming the emblem of the guardian angel whose task it is to protect every human being.

[1] In the ‘Book of Tobias’, the angel Raphael was invoked by Tobi, a just and poor man, to accompany his son Tobias on a journey; Raphael showed Tobias the safest way and saved him more than once, without ever revealing himself as an angel, except at the end of the story.

The angel aptero (without wings, thus before revealing his identity) is here depicted in the guise of a young man with delicate features and a garment clasped at the waist and punctuated by ample drapery. The child he is holding, innocently frightened, turns his eyes to the sky, where through a crack in the clouds the light of divine grace appears.

The stylistic and figurative characteristics of the painting evoke echoes of 17th century Roman painting, distinguished for its refined style, capable of combining the Baroque language, sumptuous by definition, with elements of classicist ascendancy.

In particular, observing the iconographic characters and drawing traits, it seems fitting to draw close to the style of Ciro Ferri (Rome 1633 - 1689), one of Pietro da Cortona's best pupils, who took up his mastery of drawing and colouristic wisdom.

Compared to his master, however, he departed for a more classical, delicate style, enhanced by a luminosity and greater attention to detail: our canvas, of excellent quality, allows us to find all these characteristics.

In this case, while appreciating the quality of the painting, the work of another hand, a pupil of the painter or probably a follower active at a later time, is evident.

Finally, it is worth mentioning the enchanting landscape on the left, in which we can recognise the famous Dicle Bridge over the Tigris River, the setting for the story of ‘Tobiolo and the Angel’ with its unmistakable arches, and the Diyarbakır Fortress in present-day Turkey (now a UNESCO World Heritage Site).


ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:

The painting is sold complete with an attractive gilded frame and is accompanied by 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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