Description
The painting "Sts Jerome and Peter of Alcantara" by the Italian artist Giambattista Pittoni is a masterpiece of Venetian Rococo. The composition of the painting is impressive, with the two saints at the center of the work, surrounded by a lush and detailed landscape.
Pittoni's artistic style is evident in the way he has captured light and colour, with rich, warm tones blending in perfect harmony. Pittoni's soft, flowing brushwork creates a sense of movement in the painting, making the characters and landscape appear to be in constant flux.
The story behind the painting is fascinating. It was commissioned by the convent of San Francisco de la Vigna in Venice in the 18th century. The painting depicts Saint Jerome, the convent's patron saint, and Saint Pedro de Alcántara, a Spanish saint who lived in the 16th century. The work was a sample of the devotion of the Franciscan monks towards these two saints.
But there's a little-known detail about the painting that makes it even more interesting. Pittoni is known to have worked on the painting for several years, and at some point, the work was stolen. The painting is believed to have been stolen by the French during the invasion of Venice in 1797. However, the painting was recovered and returned to the convent in 1815.
In summary, the painting "Sts Jerome and Peter of Alcantara" by Giambattista Pittoni is an impressive work of art that shows the artist's ability to capture light and color in a detailed and harmonious composition. The story behind the painting, including its theft and recovery, makes it even more interesting and valuable.