The subject of the angelic consolation of Saint Francis became popular in the second half of the sixteenth century as a result of the Catholic Church´s renewed appreciation of his mystical experiences, almost to the exclusion of the more picturesque episodes of the saint´s life that had characterised traditional iconography; for example, his encounter with the wolf of Gubbio, and the invention of
Painted in London when the artist was nearly seventy years old, Moses Rescued from the Nile is undoubtedly the finest work from Orazio Gentileschi’s final period. Exquisitely refined and subtle in its emotions, it was conceived to please that most informed and demanding connoisseur of painting, King Philip IV of Spain. The artist sent it to him as a gift in the summer of 1633, and his son Francesc
This print is part of a series published by the Company for the engraving of paintings from the Royal Palaces, although it was only published after that institution was no longer active. The Company for the engraving of the paintings from the Royal Palaces was one of the Spanish Enlightenment’s major undertakings during the second half of the 18th century. It supervised the reproduction of prints
This print is part of a series published by the Company for the engraving of paintings from the Royal Palaces, although it was only published after that institution was no longer active. The Company for the engraving of the paintings from the Royal Palaces was one of the Spanish Enlightenment’s major undertakings during the second half of the 18th century. It supervised the reproduction of prints