Roman School of the early 18th century Luigi Garzi (Pistoia 1638 – Rome 1721) attributed Still life of fruit supported by three angels Oil on oval canvas 116 x 91 cm, framed 140 x 119 cm Authenticity certificate on photograph by Professor Giancarlo Sestieri, who attributes the work to the circle of Luigi Garzi Complete details of the previous painting: https://www.antichitacastelbarco.it/it/prodotto/natura-morta-di-frutta-sorretta-da-tre-angeli This magnificent canvas, depicting a sumptuous composition of fruit supported by three prosperous winged putti, from which emerges a parchment bearing the Latin expression "Amor est vitae essentiae", can be placed in the production of a Roman author active between the second half of the 17th century and the early years of the following century. The iconography that sees putti with fruit or flowers represented is frequent in the Baroque period, especially in the Roman area, starting from the 17th century, with that particular figurative tendency aimed at illusionistic and frivolous images, a type of paintings or frescoes of strong decorative value, intended for the private context and depicting precisely a riot of putti, angels or cherubs, of which our canvas represents a perfect example. We can recall, among the most illustrious iconographic precedents, the elegant mirrors painted by Mario Nuzzi and Carlo Maratta that adorn the salon of Palazzo Colonna in Rome, and also the canvas kept in the Rouen museum and similar ones in Palazzo Chigi in Ariccia, with the collaboration for the figures of Filippo Lauri. The commercial and furnishing fortune of similar works is also testified by authors such as Guglielmo Cortese known as the Borgognone (1628 - 1679), Franz Werner Von Tamm (1658 - 1724), Giovan Battista Gaulli (1639 - 1709), Giovanni Paolo Castelli known as Spadino (Rome 1650 - 1740) and the aforementioned Carlo Maratta (1625 - 1713). The work, studied by Giancarlo Sestieri, has been linked to the circle of the eclectic painter from Pistoia, Luigi Garzi, one of the protagonists of Roman painting in the decades of transition between the 17th and 18th centuries. In our painting we can see the typical elements of his painting: the soft and delicately chiaroscuro light, the sculptural classicism of the figures as well as the stupendous light and chromatic effects. Luigi Garzi's training and artistic activity took place in the Eternal City and he was a Roman artist in all respects. Having moved to Rome from Pistoia, his hometown, at a very young age, he joined the atelier of Andrea Sacchi, who directed his studies towards classicism, comparing himself with the works of Raphael, Domenichino and Nicolas Poussin, but also with the Emilian one, with particular attention to the school of Guido Reni. But undoubtedly the Emilian examples were preferred, favoring in particular Giovani Lanfranco, who modeled his taste and style, together with a modulated Cortonism, while those pre-eighteenth-century sensibilities are due to the lesson of Carlo Maratta. However, there is no doubt that the painter oriented his personality without ever bending to imitation, arriving at a refined elegance and autonomy of language, as the canvas in question clearly demonstrates, in which the different influences find a refined amalgam in perfect harmony with the Baroque evolution between the 17th and 18th centuries, indicating a dating to his early maturity. These attitudes led the painter to obtain early recognition and prestigious commissions, such as the frescoes in Palazzo Borghese and San Carlo al Corso, where the memories of Domenichino and Reni emerge, up to the dome of the Cybo Chapel in Santa Maria del Popolo. Returning to the work, we can then presume a mature chronological placement, for the peculiar drafting, which is based on enameled strokes and a heartfelt classicism. The painting is in excellent condition, with a beautiful antique frame. This artwork is accompanied by a photographic certificate of authenticity in accordance with the law. We take care of and organize the transport of purchased works, both for Italy and abroad, through professional and insured carriers. For any further information, please do not hesitate to contact us. Follow us also on: https://www.instagram.com/galleriacastelbarco/?hl=it https://www.facebook.com/galleriacastelbarco/