Allegory of Time indicating Truth, Giacomo Stella (Brescia 1545 - Rome 1630)

Giacomo Stella (Brescia 1545 - Rome 1630) - Allegory of Time pointing to Truth,
Oil painting on canvas,
192 x 74cm. - in gilded frame 198 x 81 cm.,
The work is accompanied by a critical study written by prof. Emilio Negro (Bologna)

All details about this painting can be viewed directly at - LINK -

The beautiful allegorical composition in question, which depicts a proud female figure, was originally designed as part of the representative furnishings of a grand noble palace and represents the personification of Time which indicates Truth (a second interpretation, although less appropriate, might be the cardinal virtue of temperance).

This allegorical typology, with a Renaissance taste marked by its overtones of great political as well as moral value, enjoyed great success throughout the 16th and 17th centuries, encouraging the viewer to carry out, on the basis of past events, a life dedicated to discipline, to truth indeed.

The allegory is personified by a young girl in an iridescent red dress, her index finger raised in warning; he holds in his hands the book of History, whose temporal consequentiality allows us to have the tools to attain wisdom, while at his feet we see an hourglass, symbol par excellence of passing time.

The work, whose execution expresses both elegance and power, goes back to Giacomo Stella (Brescia 1545 - Rome 1630), an important Mannerist artist active between the 16th and 17th centuries, originally from Brescia but especially active in Rome, where settled at a young age, under the pontificates of Gregory XIII (1572-1585) and his successors Sixtus V (1585-1590) and Urban VIII.

In the papal city he came into contact with Girolamo Muziano and Cesare Nebbia, active in many major projects of the late 16th century commissioned by the papacy. Among these, the most important is the fresco of one of the major religious works of the time, the construction and decoration of the Sistine Chapel of the Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore (not to be confused with that of the Vatican), intended to become a funeral chapel of Pope Sixtus V.

Painter of great temperament and endowed with a beautiful naturalistic shot, his only hand is certainly due to the large frescoes of the 'Resurrection' and the 'Creation of Eve', at the Scala Santa in Rome.

Conservation state:
On the painting are visible old restorations related to the time of the canvas and color retouching.
The painting is sold accompanied by a pleasant gilded wooden frame.

FURTHER INFORMATION:

The work is sold with a certificate of authenticity and a descriptive iconographic sheet.
We take care of and organize the transport of the works purchased, both for Italy and abroad, by professional and insured carriers.

It is also possible to see the painting in the Riva del Garda gallery, we will be happy to welcome you to show you our collection of works.

Contact us, without obligation, for any additional information.

Also follow us on:
https://www.instagram.com/galleriacastelbarco/?hl=it
https://www.facebook.com/galleriacastelbarco/

Ref: SLV6CQN6UT