Pittore veneto del XVII secolo

Adoration of the Shepherds Oil on canvas, 53X44 cm The work is attributed to Giovanni Battista Volpato (Bassano del Grappa, 1633-1706), who was not only a painter but also a mathematician and art writer, whose fame, however, derives from his ability to imitate the Bassano manner. In fact, the artist was the protagonist of some legal affairs, including that of the theft from the churches of Tomo and Rasai of two altarpieces by Jacopo, which he replaced, unbeknownst to the villagers, with copies and recognized imitations a few years later (Alte Pinakothek in Munich). Because of this episode Volpato was tried in 1685 and banished from Feltre. However, his activity was very successful and in 1671 he was commissioned the canvas celebrating the Podestà Antonio Boldù with the mayors, painted for the church of Santa Maria del Prato. Between 1683 and 1689 he completed, in Bassano, the decoration of Santa Maria in Colle with the Assumption and Trinity, the Martyrdom of Saint Clement and Saint Bassianus, and his is the decoration at Ca' Rezzonico of the Fall of the Giants. Reference bibliography: E. Bordignon Favero, Giovanni Battista Volpato critico e pittore, Treviso 1994, ad vocem