Description
The painting "The Stoning of St Stephen" by the artist Cigoli is a masterpiece of Italian Baroque art that stands out for its drama and emotion. The work was made in the 17th century and has an original size of 480 x 287 cm, which makes it one of the largest of its time.
Regarding his artistic style, the painting is characterized by its realism and its chiaroscuro technique, which highlights the contrasts of light and shadow to create a three-dimensional effect in the image. The composition of the work is impressive, with the protagonist of the scene, Saint Stephen, in the center surrounded by the attackers who are stoning him. The tension and pain reflected in the faces of the characters are moving and make the work even more powerful.
Regarding color, Cigoli uses a palette of dark and gloomy tones to reflect the hostile and violent environment of the scene. However, it also uses warm and bright tones to highlight the figure of Saint Stephen and his halo of holiness.
The history of the painting is also interesting, as it was commissioned by Cardinal Francesco Maria Del Monte as part of a series of works depicting the life of Saint Stephen. The work was made in Rome and became one of the artist's most famous.
A little known aspect of the work is that Cigoli was inspired by Bernini's sculpture "The Ecstasy of Saint Teresa" to create the figure of Saint Stephen in the painting. This demonstrates the influence that sculpture had on Italian Baroque painting and how artists inspired each other to create innovative and exciting works.
In conclusion, "The Stoning of St Stephen" is an impressive work that stands out for its technique, composition and emotion. It is a showcase of Cigoli's talent and creativity, as well as the richness and depth of Italian Baroque art.