Lot Details

Description

Pietro Negri attr.

Jephthah’s encounter with his daughter at the gates of Mizpah

Olio on canvas

in 44,09x40,55

The painting depicts the dramatic biblical episode recounted in the Book of Judges (Judges 11:34–40): the encounter between Jephthah and his daughter. Jephthah, a judge—that is, a military leader—of Israel, was originally from the region of Gilead and had a combative nature. He fought against the Ammonites, who were oppressing Israel. Before the battle, he made a vow: if he were to defeat the enemy, he would sacrifice the first person to come out of his house to greet him upon his return. The Ammonites were utterly defeated. But the first person to come out to meet Jephthah and celebrate his victory was his only daughter. In the painting, we see the beautiful young girl advancing with a tambourine in hand to greet her father in celebration. However, Jephthah, overwhelmed with despair, responds with a gesture of denial so intense that he nearly collapses and must be supported by a soldier. Of remarkable beauty, this canvas is a Venetian work by an artist from the "Tenebrosi" school—a group of Venetian painters who developed a highly personal interpretation of Caravaggism, marked by dramatic intensity and stark contrasts of light and shadow. The Tenebrosi also influenced early works by Bellucci and Sebastiano Ricci, particularly in their emotionally charged figure compositions. Among these artists stands out Pietro Negri, to whom the painting can be attributed. This group was active in the Venetian lagoon, following in the footsteps of Giordano and Langetti. Captivated by the strong colors used by these two foreign masters, the Tenebrosi became key figures in Venetian painting in the late 17th century, before the emergence of the Neo-Veronese style seen in the works of Sebastiano Ricci and other 18th-century Venetian painters. The pictorial execution of this canvas aligns with other works by Negri, especially in the depiction of Jephthah's daughter, whose sharp and pronounced profile, large eyes, and heavy features are characteristic of many of Negri's female figures. The painting displays a highly personal approach, both in composition and lighting. The artist employs a soft, absorbing chiaroscuro, which, through contrast, makes the limited tones of a reduced color palette vibrantly expressive—fully justifying the praise given to Negri by his contemporary biographers. The painting also stands out for its pronounced chiaroscuro and a notable, deliberate influence from the Emilian school.

From the critical analysis, Dott.ssa Arabella Cifani

The painting is accompanied by:

Expertise Dott.ssa Arabella Cifani

Dimensions

in 44,09x40,55

Provenance

Private collection

Conditions

Restorations. Re-lining. The frame is not the same period of the peinture. 

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.