168 - LUCA GIORDANO (1634–1705), attributed

LUCA GIORDANO (1634–1705), attributed An exceptional pair of paintings on a mirror: The Wedding at Cana and The Banquet at Simon the Pharisee’s House A very rare pair of paintings on mirror glass known as “in the church style,” a technique in which the design is painted directly onto the silvered surface of the mirror, with certain areas scraped away to reveal a cutout of the painting depicting, in one case, a banquet scene in a classical interior with columns, “The Wedding at Cana,” and in the other, a similar banquet scene, featuring a kneeling woman touching the feet of Christ, who is depicted with a halo—a composition corresponding to “The Supper at Simon the Pharisee’s House” (Mary Magdalene Anointing Christ’s Feet)—also featuring a dog in the foreground and a servant carrying a water jug. These two compositions, treated as a pair, are part of the extensive repertoire of Gospel banquet scenes highly prized by Neapolitan Baroque painters. This rare and masterful technique was highly sought after in Italy during the 17th and 18th centuries. Previous restorations. Dimensions: 70 x 95 cm Provenance: Private collection and Bertolami, Rome, where they were purchased by the current owner. The attribution to Luca Giordano was confirmed by Prof. Riccardo Lattuada during the Bertolami auction in Rome, after he had viewed the works in person. Comparative literature: O. Ferrari, G. Scavizzi, *Luca Giordano. Nuove ricerche e inediti*, Naples 2003. - Luca Giordano (Naples, 1634–1705), nicknamed “Luca fa presto” for his prolific output and legendary speed of execution, was one of the most prolific and influential painters of the Neapolitan Baroque, also active in Florence, Venice, and at the Spanish court. His considerable output means his name is frequently associated with copies and studio replicas, particularly in reproduction techniques such as painting on mirrors.