82 - GIOVAN FRANCESCO BARBIERI, known as IL GUERCINO [circle of]

GIOVAN FRANCESCO BARBIERI, known as IL GUERCINO [circle of] (Cento, 1591 – Bologna, 1666) Madonna and Child Oil on canvas, 93 x 75 cm Fair condition; UV photo attached The work draws on the traditional iconography of the Reading Madonna. The Virgin Mary is depicted holding a sheet of paper or a small book, with the Infant Jesus in her arms interacting with her and with the text. The strong contrasts of light and shadow (chiaroscuro), the softness of the garments, and the gentle yet intense facial features are typical elements of the artistic production of the 17th-century Bolognese School, which was strongly influenced by the master Giovanni Francesco Barbieri, known as Il Guercino (Cento, 1591 – Bologna, 1666) and his school. In terms of style, in fact, several aspects of the painting can be compared to Gennari’s works. However, the influence of his master, Guercino, cannot be overlooked. Finally, it must be emphasized that the appeal of the particularly direct and everyday emotion—which is such a powerful element in the painting—is in no way diminished by the considerable subtlety of the artistic techniques that played a role in its creation [cited in: Giovanni Francesco Barbieri, *IL GUERCINO 1591–1666*, edited by Sir Denis Mahon, pp. 120, 122, no. 42].