Skip to main content
Want more images or videos?
Request additional images or videos from the seller
1 of 18

Christ St. Peter De Matteis Paint Oil on canvas 17/18 Century Old master Italy

1680-1720

About the Item

Paolo De Matteis (Naples, 1662 - Naples, 1728) attributed to Christ Delivering the Keys to St. Peter (Handing over the Keys) Oil on canvas 88 x 138 cm./ Framed 98 x 149 cm. The proposed painting is the work of a Neapolitan painter working at the beginning of the 18th century: the colours are warm, the chromatic range is soft, the brushstrokes sure and precise; the faces take shape and expression to the point of being alive, moving and luminous. An extremely fascinating subject is depicted, namely Christ handing the keys of Paradise to St. Peter, the symbol of sovereignty and thus of the empowerment of the first vicar of Christ on earth. St. Peter, the first bishop of Rome and pope, thus receives the two keys, one gold (an allusion to power over the kingdom of heaven), the other silver (a symbol of the spiritual authority of the papacy on earth) as well as the papal staff, with the three-pronged cross. The scene is inspired by a passage from the Gospel according to John (XXI,15-17), evoked by the inscription ''Pasce oves meas'' (Feed my lambs, Pascere comes from Latin and means to graze, to feed): Christ in fact points out to Peter a small flock of lambs, symbolising the faithful of the Church, which the apostle will have the task of leading. Above very pleasing is the group of cherubim in the clouds, who appear as impalpable creatures caught up in the event they are witnessing, as they accompany the dove of the holy spirit. The refined yet natural grace of the faces and gestures, and the precision of the drawing combined with a delicate tone of colour, present this painting with the domestic familiarity of late 17th-early 18th century Naples tempered by Roman aesthetics. Such clues would allow us to identify the hand of Paolo De Matteis (Piano del Cilento, 1662 - Naples, 1728), Luca Giordano's most important pupil in Naples, and the artist who would mark the development of 18th-century Neapolitan art. His great ability was to evolve the Baroque inherited from his master, into a classicist, almost Arcadian vision; his works, and ours is an excellent example of this, also have a strong narrative tone and a strong sentimental and emotional charge. The characteristics of the canvas could date the work to the artist's classicist period, i.e. between the end of the 17th century and the beginning of the following century, in which de Matteis' Neapolitan roots are evident, as well as the influence of Carlo Maratta, whom he studied carefully during his many stays in Rome. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: The work is sold complete with a gilded wooden frame and comes with a certificate of authenticity and descriptive iconographic card. We take care of and organise the transport of the purchased works, both for Italy and abroad, through professional and insured carriers. It is also possible to see the painting in the gallery in Riva del Garda, we will be happy to welcome you to show you our collection of works.
  • Attributed to:
    Paolo De Matteis (naples, 1662 - 1728)
  • Creation Year:
    1680-1720
  • Dimensions:
    Height: 38.59 in (98 cm)Width: 58.67 in (149 cm)
  • Medium:
  • Movement & Style:
  • Period:
  • Condition:
  • Gallery Location:
    Riva del Garda, IT
  • Reference Number:
    1stDibs: LU988114047192
More From This SellerView All
  • Christ Jesus Lama Religious Paint Oil on canvas 17/18 th Century Old master
    Located in Riva del Garda, IT
    Giovan Battista Lama (Naples, 1673 - 1748) workshop Exaltation of the Holy Cross with the Symbols of the Passion oil on canvas 84 x 135 cm. - with frame 98 x 148 cm. The proposed painting is the work of a Neapolitan painter active at the beginning of the 18th century, although the composition betrays the influence of the Roman classicism prevailing at the end of the 17th century, discernible in the serene and casual atmosphere. This is a very interesting subject, namely the Exaltation of the Cross, a particular feast in Christian theology, commemorating the crucifixion of Jesus with the particular aim of emphasising the centrality of the mystery of the cross. We see precisely Jesus, bowed in prayer in the company of an angel, while a host of angels above hold the most relevant symbols of his Passion (in Latin, arma Christi), namely the objects that were used for the crucifixion. These include, of course, the cross held by the major angel, and then the nails (three or four), the crown of thorns the lance with which Jesus was pierced, Veronica's veil (the linen cloth that St Veronica...
    Category

    17th Century Old Masters Paintings

    Materials

    Oil

  • Battle Horsemen Landscape Graziani Paint Oil on canvas 17th Century Old master
    Located in Riva del Garda, IT
    Francesco Graziani, known as Ciccio Napoletano (active in Naples and Rome in the second half of the 17th century) Battle with clash of horsemen Oil on canvas 95 x 130 cm In period ...
    Category

    17th Century Old Masters Paintings

    Materials

    Oil

  • Temptations St. Anthony Teniers II Paint 17th Century Oil on canvas Flemish
    Located in Riva del Garda, IT
    David Teniers II, the Younger(Antwerp, 1610 - Brussels, 1690) Workshop of The Temptations of St. Anthony Abbot Oil on canvas 61 x 90 cm....
    Category

    17th Century Old Masters Paintings

    Materials

    Oil

  • Winter Landscape Foschi Paint 18th CEntury Paint Oil on canvas Old master Italy
    Located in Riva del Garda, IT
    Francesco Foschi (Ancona, 1710 - Rome, 1780) Attributable Winter landscape Oil on canvas 76 x 63 cm. - In frame 87 x 75 cm. The compositional and stylistic elements of this pleasan...
    Category

    18th Century Old Masters Paintings

    Materials

    Oil

  • Toeletta Albani Mythological Paint Oil on canvas 17th Century Old master Italy
    Located in Riva del Garda, IT
    The Toilet of Venus Francesco Albani (Bologna 1578 - 1660), workshop of oil on canvas 62 x 76 cm. - framed 70 x 84 cm. (period frame) The proposed painting, depicting the Toeletta ...
    Category

    17th Century Old Masters Paintings

    Materials

    Oil

  • Nativity Adoration Shepherds Gimignani Paint 17th Century Oil on canvas Italy
    Located in Riva del Garda, IT
    Giacinto Gimignani (Pistoia, 1606 - Rome, 1681) workshop Nativity with Adoration of the Shepherds Roman school of the first half of the 17th century Oil on canvas (55 x 55 cm. - In ...
    Category

    17th Century Old Masters Paintings

    Materials

    Oil

You May Also Like

Recently Viewed

View All