Description
The painting "Parable of the Lost Drachma" by Domenico Fetti is a masterpiece of Italian Baroque art depicting one of the best-known parables of Jesus in the New Testament. The work is an oil on canvas measuring 55 x 44 cm and is in the Pinacoteca di Brera in Milan.
Fetti's artistic style is characterized by elegance and delicacy in the representation of details. In this work, you can appreciate the artist's ability to capture the texture of fabrics, jewelry and household objects. Also, the use of light and shadow creates a sense of depth and realism in the scene.
The composition of the paint is simple but effective. At the center of the work is the figure of a kneeling woman desperately searching for a lost coin on the ground. Around it, other objects of the house are seen, such as a basket of fruit and a jug of water. In the upper right corner, you can see the figure of God looking compassionately at the woman.
The paint color is bright and vibrant, with hues of gold, red, and green adding a sense of richness and opulence to the scene. The figure of the woman is dressed in a dark blue dress that contrasts with the light background and creates a sensation of depth.
The history of the painting is interesting as it is known to have been commissioned by Cardinal Francesco Barberini in 1624. Furthermore, the work is believed to have been part of a series of paintings depicting the parables of Jesus. However, it is not known for certain how many works were created and what their themes were.
As for little-known aspects, it is said that the character of the woman in the painting was modeled by the artist's sister. Also, the figure of God in the upper right corner is believed to have been added later by the artist.
In short, the painting "Parable of the Lost Drachma" by Domenico Fetti is a masterpiece of Italian Baroque art that stands out for its elegance, delicacy and technical skill. The composition, color and history of the work make it a unique and valuable piece of world artistic heritage.