Description
Giovanni Ambrogio Figino's St Matthew and the Angel painting is an Italian Renaissance masterpiece noted for its impressive artistic style and careful composition. With an original size of 220 x 130 cm, this work is one of the largest and most detailed of the artist.
In terms of artistic style, Figino's painting is clearly influenced by the great masters of the Italian Renaissance, such as Leonardo da Vinci and Raphael. The figure of the angel, for example, shows a great similarity with that of the angel of the Annunciation by Leonardo da Vinci. In addition, Figino's technique is highly detailed and precise, giving the work impressive realism.
The composition of the painting is also very interesting. The figure of Saint Matthew stands at the center of the work, surrounded by a mountainous landscape and a dramatic sky. Beside him, an angel shows him an open book, symbolizing the divine inspiration that guides him in his task of writing the Gospel. The composition is very balanced and harmonious, and the use of perspective and light adds depth and realism to the work.
In terms of color, Figino's painting stands out for its rich palette of warm and cold tones. The angel, for example, is dressed in a bright red robe that contrasts with the dark blue sky behind him. The use of colors is very careful and harmonious, creating a sense of calm and serenity in the work.
The history of the painting is also very interesting. It was commissioned by Cardinal Federico Borromeo to decorate the chapel of Saint Matthew in the church of San Carlo al Corso in Milan. The work was completed in 1590 and has been preserved in very good condition to this day.
In summary, the painting St Matthew and the Angel by Giovanni Ambrogio Figino is a masterpiece of the Italian Renaissance that stands out for its artistic style, its careful composition, its rich color palette and its interesting history. It is a work that deserves to be admired and studied for its beauty and its cultural and historical value.