St John the Evangelist by Domenichino

[Pierre Tavlitzki]

Domenico Zampieri, better known as Domenichino, was born in Bologna in 1581. In that city he was naturally a student and collaborator of the Carracci. Like them, he reacts against mannerism with a simple style and sharp colors. His themes show no originality, but his careful work makes him one of the best artists of his time.

Painter of religious subjects, he was especially a fresco artist, and so was accustomed to very large sizes. The St John the Evangelist I am discussing today is 2.5 x 2 meters, a monumental dimension for an ancient canvas.

The saint in a red dress is in an attitude of a preacher or a teacher, confirmed as such by the two inevitable symbolic putti wearing open books.

This painting was regarded in the eighteenth century as a masterpiece of one of the greatest masters, but fashions change and Domenichino ceased to be so flattered. The scarcity of old works of this size on the market justifies the estimate that Christie's now let filtering before issuing their official release: £ 10 million in London on December 8. This amount is probably the high estimate.

It has the advantage of being fresh on the market, as it belonged to the same family for one hundred years.

[Pierre Tavlitzki]

Two clarifications were provided today in the press release:

The probable date of the artwork falls between 1627 and 1629.

The lower estimate is 7 M£.

[Pierre Tavlitzki]

This painting was one of three major lots in the sale of ancient art by Christie's in London. It was sold £ 9.2 million including premium.