Auktionshaus Saarbrücken, in Germany, sells on 14 May 2016 an "Old Master" Martyrium, estimated at 1,500 Euro. The description claims it to be Italian or Dutch (working in Italy), ca. 1680, a large canvas of 206 by 140cm.
It is an intriguing, rather good composition which lacks finesse in the details. Often this points to a copy, but in this case I wonder if it isn't a final study instead, as the details seem more unfinished than lacking in talent.
I can find no finished painting matching this work, and worse, I can find no artist to match it either. I have been looking at all kinds of names, from Veronese (Saint Afra pictured above) to Tiepolo, and many have some similarities, but so far I haven't found an artist or even more defined region or period which really fits.
So I'm stumped and intrigued, but I have the feeling that the estimate for this work is way, way too low and that someone out there will have spotted this and hopes he or she is the only one to have recognised this.
The girl in the middle may offer a clue to others as to date, origin or even artist. It didn't really help me though...
This puzzle is finally solved! Luigi Miradori (Genovesino) is the right answer. and by the way you were very close as "The Martyrdom of Saint Afra" by Veronese can be seen in Brescia that is just 1 hour away by train from Cremona, where Genovesino created most of his works. More details in the e-mail.
ReplyDeleteBest regards,
Anton Zakharov.