Lot Details

Description

Bartolomeo Barbiani

Montepulciano 1596 - Montepulciano 1645

Saint Jerome in Prayer

1622

Oil on canvas

in 53,35x80,91

Authentic signature of the present work: “Bartholom.s / Barbianus / Politianus / Pingebat / a. Dom. / MDCXXII.” The figure of Jerome, Father and Doctor of the Church, belongs to that company of Saints who, over the centuries, have consistently inspired admiration and devotion. Living between the mid–fourth and the early fifth century, Saint Jerome came into contact with the great personalities of his age. Among the works he composed, particular attention must certainly be given to his studies of the Bible, of which he was a translator and profound commentator. Jerome is credited with having transmitted to the West the richness of Greek and Hebrew libraries. He was also the author of texts of a monastic nature, such as the Lives of Paul, Malchus, and Hilarion, composed on the model of the Life of Anthony written by Athanasius of Alexandria. Jerome was proclaimed a Doctor of the Church by Boniface VIII, together with Saints Gregory the Great, Ambrose, and Augustine.

The iconography of Jerome, in addition to depicting episodes linked to his hagiographic tradition such as the scene in which he tends to the lion essentially follows two major and closely related schemes: he is shown as a penitent in the desert, portrayed in the cave he had chosen as his hermitage, or he is depicted in his study, bent over books and immersed in contemplation. As in the canvas under consideration here, Jerome the penitent in the desert is represented as an elderly solitary figure, still vigorous in appearance despite the repeated penances to which he subjected his body. He is shown partially unclothed, covered only summarily by a red drapery: the color red evokes the tradition that recognized him as a cardinal of the Church. Among his iconographic attributes, a skull often appears beside him, symbolizing the transience of worldly vanity. His gaze, by contrast, is constantly directed toward the Cross of Christ, a recurring iconographic element, for only the Cross is true wisdom, as Saint Paul affirms. The landscape in which the scene of Jerome the penitent is set is usually arid and barren, recalling the desert to which the Saint had withdrawn and which he described so vividly in his writings.

The canvas depicting Saint Jerome is therefore sober, devoid of ornaments or elements that might distract from the figure of the Saint. Jerome is kneeling, sorrowfully contemplating the crucifix, and before him in the foreground lie several overturned books one closed and others open and worn bearing witness to his assiduous study. Among the books lies an overturned cardinal’s hat. The Saint strikes his chest with a stone as an act of penance.

Jerome has a thick, long beard and is bald at the crown of his head. At his feet crouches a lion.

The painting is executed with vigorous brushstrokes and great compositional skill and is signed on the stone at the lower left: “Bartholom.s / Barbianus / Politianus / Pingebat / a. Dom. / MDCXXII.” It is a rare and precious work by the painter from Montepulciano, Bartolomeo Barbiani, born in 1596 and deceased in 1645.

From the critical analysis, Dott.ssa Arabella Cifani

The painting is accompanied by:

Expertise Dott.ssa Arabella Cifani

Dimensions

in 53,35x80,91

Provenance

Private collection

Conditions

Defects and restorations.

Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each product to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Coradi Rare Finds is merely a subjective opinion.