PITTORE DEL XVII SECOLO
Adoration of the Shepherds
Oil on canvas, 125X168 cm
The painting is attributed to Francesco Prata (Caravaggio, documented from 1513 to 1527), a pupil of Romanino and active for most of his career in Brescia (cf. Francesco Prato da Caravaggio: aggiunte e verifiche, in Bollettino d'Arte, 44-45, 1987, pp. 141-156 and F. Moro in Dizionario degli Artisti di Caravaggio e Treviglio, Treviglio 1994, pp. 199-203). The analysis of the work reveals typically Venetian characteristics and, in particular, suggestions taken from the Sacre Conversazioni of Palma il Vecchio, which during the 16th century found diffusion thanks to the works of Antonio Palma and, in particular, Bonifacio de Pitati.
Reference bibliography:
S. Simonetti, Profilo di Bonifacio de Pitati, in Saggi e memorie di storia dell'arte, 15, 1986, pp. 111 ; 112
