Offered by Antichità Castelbarco
Antonio Tibaldi (Rome, c. 1635 – after 1675)
Still Life with Armor, Violin, Sheet Music, and Vase of Flowers
Oil on canvas 82 x 118 cm. Framed: 97 x 134 cm.
The work is accompanied by an expert report prepared by Prof. Emilio Negro (Bologna)
The painting on offer, with its striking composition and meticulous attention to detail, depicts a still life consisting of an opulent display of precious objects: the scene is framed by a curtain with gold fringes and a wooden console table, upon which rests a marbled silk drape with a gold border, part of a ceremonial suit of armor—specifically, a plumed helmet and a dark shield with gold borders, and a violin with a bow.
Further to the right, the composition is completed by an open sheet of music with rolled-up pages, upon which rests a candlestick whose candle has broken as it fell, and a precious embossed metal vase overflowing with colorful flowers.
The entire composition is skillfully orchestrated with a theatrical flair, set in a dark interior—a choice that accentuates the contrasts of light and highlights the dense texture of the paint used to depict the details of the objects on display.
The specific selection of objects likely allows us to interpret the work allegorically, placing it within the tradition of so-called “Vanitas” paintings, and thus aiming to lead the viewer to reflect on the futility of vain glory and earthly riches.
As for the painting’s stylistic characteristics, we can readily attribute it to a 17th-century Italian painter, attentive to detail and stylistic refinements drawn from the teachings of the finest contemporary Flemish masters and those of previous generations.
Also evident are the clear post-Caravaggist Roman influences, visible in the strong contrasts of light and the dense, overflowing paint.
These elements allow us to attribute the painting to Antonio Tibaldi (Rome, c. 1635—documented until 1675), a talented painter and follower of Francesco Fieravino, known as “il Maltese,” who specialized in this genre of rich, spectacular, and saturated with precious details, characterized by very specific recurring elements, such as lavish tapestries, draperies, musical instruments, books, clocks, fruit, flowers, and other valuable collectibles.
Tibaldi worked primarily in Rome, where his presence and the fame he achieved are attested to by numerous prestigious commissions: his works are still preserved today in the most important public and private collections, such as those of the Albani, Barberini, Chigi, and Colonna families.
To confirm the attribution proposed here, one need only compare our captivating “Still Life with Objects and Fruit” with other similar works by Antonio Tibaldi: for example, the well-known “Still Life with Tapestries, Metal Vases, and a Violin” and “Still Life with Tapestries, Metal Vases, and a Bronze Statue” (both in Ajaccio, Musée Fresh) and the “Still Life with a Maltese Dog, Tapestries, Statue, Clock, and Sheet Music” (signed ‘Ant. Tibaldi’, formerly London, Christie’s, December 18, 1998, no. 297), as well as the “Still Life with Clock, Vase of Flowers, a Lute, a Guitar…” signed
Delevery information :
We take care of and organise the transport of the purchased works, both for Italy and abroad, through professional and insured carriers.
We take great care We personally take care of the packaging, to which we devote a great deal of care: each work is carefully packed, first with arti- cle material, then with a custom-made wooden box.
Should you have the desire to see this or other works in person, we would be happy to welcome you to our gallery in Riva del Garda, Viale Giuseppe Canella 18, we are always open by appointment only.
