Lot 16: GIOVANNI FRANCESCO GUERRIERI da Fossombrone Amphitrite in the chariot

GIOVANNI FRANCESCO GUERRIERI da Fossombrone
Amphitrite in the chariot
Oil on canvas

The artwork can be attributed to Guerrieri da Fossombrone, from the region Marche and was painted during the roman period (1615-1618), when the artist was frescoing the palazzo Borghese ascribed by Prince Marcantonio, completely derived from the Iconologia by Cesare Ripa. In 1615 Guerrieri was only 25 and had just completed very important work in the church of Santa Maria del Piano del Ponte in Sassoferrato. Taking cue from Ripa’s extraordinary representations of mythology, this artwork depicts Amphitrite in a chariot, seated on a big shell perching on four pure coral tree branches; to the left, two tritons are blowing their horns, leading her way. The general tone of the painting mirrors Mannerism, whereas the influence of early Caravaggio is very evident along with that of Reni and the Sienese culture of Gramatica. The figure of Amphitrite, both sturdy and classical in her movement can be considered a perfect blend of Renan classicism and early Roman Caravaggio style. The composition echoes the Chariot of the Hours by Reni on the vault of casino Pallavicini Rospigliosi at the Quirinal. Comparisons between this artwork and decorations in the Palazzo Borghese seem plausible, especially if considered the scene of Parnassus, where different types of feminine figures undoubtedly recall the smooth and distinct tone, although chiaroscuro, of our Amphitrite; the same goes for the Triumph of Sciences (see Andrea Emiliani, Giovanni Francesco da Fossombrone, Venezia, 1997, pp. 65). The artwork is perfectly preserved.
cm 120 x 180

cm 120 x 180

Oil on canvas