Important Italian painting from the second half of the 17th century. Oil work on canvas depicting Apollo playing the lyre, a refined representation of the God of music, poetry and the arts, one of the most fascinating figures of classical mythology and a subject particularly appreciated in baroque painting.
The young God is depicted half-length in the act of delicately touching the strings of the lyre, an ancient instrument that constitutes his main iconographic attribute. The face, characterized by an idealized and almost androgynous beauty, is framed by thick blonde hair and turned upwards in an expression of intense concentration.
The artist constructs the composition with great balance, making the figure emerge from the dark background through a skilful use of light. The soft glazes model the complexion with extreme delicacy, giving naturalness to the chiaroscuro transitions and highlighting the quality of the drawing. The nude is embellished with a refined drape of pink silk that wraps around the hips, covering the nakedness with elegant discretion. Below the lyre, a sumptuous blue cloth develops, characterized by large folds and vibrant luminous effects that give depth to the composition.
Due to its pictorial quality and compositional elegance, the painting appears to be attributable to Tuscan painting from the second half of the 17th century. The sweetness of the features, the preciousness of the execution and the refined luminous rendering recall the figurative culture developed in late seventeenth-century Florence, showing interesting affinities with the works of Onorio Marinari, Simone Pignoni and Francesco Furini, although not allowing, at the current state of the studies, a more precise attribution (the painting is not currently accompanied by expertise, but it is possible to request it upon payment of the relevant additional costs).
A work of rare elegance and strong decorative impact, ideal for important collections of ancient paintings, professional studios, libraries and representative environments, classic or contemporary. Painting already restored with relining, replacement of the frame and color recovery in small spots. It shows some signs of aging, overall in a good state of conservation.
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SILVER Seller in Cuneo, Italy
