Antonio Tibaldi (Rome, circa 1633 - circa 1684)Still life with precious objects, brocade fabrics, and plate with sweets circa 1650/1660 Oil on canvas (cm 96 x 130 - Framed 115 x 150 cm) For more information on the author, see the essay: 'Still life painters in Rome. Italian artists, 1630-1750' - Gianluca and Ulisse Bocchi - 2005 Full details of the work (click HERE) This prestigious still life, with its incredible scenic effect, depicts an opulent display of precious objects, including vases, jugs, and plates in precious metals, a stringed musical instrument, specifically a guitar, a cushion, and an elegant fabric embroidered with gold threads, while on the right a precious damask curtain opens the scene as if in a theatrical setting. The large dimensions of the canvas fall within the typically Roman format of the so-called 'tela da imperatore' (emperor canvas), a Baroque definition for canvases of approximately 130 x 90 cm in size. The painting is a work by the Roman painter Antonio Tibaldi, whose compositions were highly successful in Baroque Rome, thanks to his particular attention to the rendering of the precious details of the objects depicted, which makes each of his works particularly precious and elegant. He worked contemporaneously with Carlo Manieri, with whom he partly shared the exhibition modules, but while the latter lingered in the description of elaborate architectural structures, Tibaldi showed a more accentuated tendency to saturate spaces and backgrounds closed by heavy draperies, according to the fashion imposed by Francesco Maltese. For comparative purposes, to support our attribution, it is easy to mention the two 'Still Lifes with brocades and goldsmith's objects' kept at the Musée Fresch in Ajaccio in France (image 1 - https://www.musee-fesch.com/tag/antonio-tibaldi ), commissioned around 1650 in Rome by Cardinal Fresch, which have more than one competitive element that we see repeated in the canvas proposed here. Also the pair of 'Still lifes with casket, sweets and precious objects', correctly attributed to Tibaldi and passed on the Milanese antique market in 1987 (image 2 - Finarte, Milan 6-7 May 1987, lots 246 and 247, as F. Fieravino) are almost analogous to ours. In one of the two canvases, on the important chiselled casket, there is the heraldic emblem with the three bees, testifying to the commission by the Barberini family. This testifies that Antonio Tibaldi enjoyed considerable esteem among a Roman patriciate particularly inclined to these pompous representations, working for the most powerful Roman families: among the most influential clients, in addition to the Barberini family (Pope Urban VIII), we know there were also the Chigi (Pope Alexander VII) and the Colonna families. Our painting also presents a noble coat of arms, although difficult to interpret (near the base band of the embossed vase in gilded metal) with a rampant lion in an oval shield surmounted by a crown. Tibaldi's artistic production is characterized by a series of recurring motifs, which we also find in our work: among these is the tendency to fill the pictorial space as much as possible by placing carpets or damask fabrics on stone tables decorated with Renaissance-inspired motifs. But also the typical sugary sweets, here arranged on a silver plate: these are biscuits and candied fruit that Tibaldi rendered in an absolutely personal and characterized way giving them the impression of a 'spongy' consistency. We can find the same sweets, in addition to the works mentioned above, in the 'Still life with carpet, plate of candied citrus fruits and sweets ...' passed by Christie's in London (image 3 - 8-9 December 1994, n. 379) https://catalogo.fondazionezeri.unibo.it/scheda/opera/88018/. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: The work sold is complete with a pleasant frame and is accompanied by a certificate of authenticity and guarantee. We take care of and organize the transport of the purchased works, both for Italy and abroad, through professional and insured carriers. It is also possible to see the painting in the gallery in Riva del Garda, we will be happy to welcome you to show you our collection of works. Contact us, without obligation, for any additional information. Follow us also on: INSTAGRAM https://www.instagram.com/galleriacastelbarco/?hl=it FACEBOOK https://www.facebook.com/galleriacastelbarco/