Offered by Antichità Castelbarco
Cristoforo Roncalli, known as “il Pomarancio” (Pomarance, 1552 – Rome, 1626) Workshop of
The Holy Family
Oil on canvas (161 x 121 cm. – Framed: 173 x 131 cm.)
The painting depicts Saint Joseph and the Virgin Mary embracing the Child together; he is shown walking toward the Child, while she is seated and facing the viewer. The upper portion features a classical building, in front of which stands a flying angel offering a wreath of roses to the Virgin.
The painting is a version inspired by the famous “Holy Family with Angels” by Cristoforo Roncalli, known as il Pomarancio (c. 1602–1605), now housed in the Galleria Borghese in Rome (Inv. 330) **.
Painted in the early 17th century, it exemplifies the painter’s great mastery of drawing, inspired by Raphael’s classicism and Correggio’s models, while maintaining his Tuscan figurative foundation, particularly the Sienese style of the late Mannerist period.
This work, in particular—poised between the solemnity of the figures and a sense of profound familial intimacy—brought Pomarancio considerable success, so much so that it was replicated both by his workshop and by copyists active throughout the 17th century.
The scene is bathed in deep shadow, from which the three figures emerge thanks to a strong play of chiaroscuro that evokes the atmospheres then spreading in Rome with Caravaggio’s revolution, lending the figures remarkable sculptural power.
Finally, it is worth taking a brief detour to discuss the interesting acronym on the stool at the bottom, “RSO (s) G.P RF’,” which certainly relates to the work’s provenance and patronage.
The monogram “G.P.” is, in our opinion, the initials of the patron—a philologically reasonable hypothesis, as it reflects a common practice of this period.
Given the work’s connection to Roncalli’s workshop, among the hypotheses to consider, is the possibility that these initials refer to Marquis Giuliano Pallavicini, who, as a great collector and patron of the arts, commissioned and purchased works and replicas by this artist as well.
In fact, in the Roman Baroque art market, prominent families such as the Pallavicinis did not purchase exclusively the official originals by the masters (intended for their own art collections), but were in the habit of commissioning high-quality workshop replicas as representative gifts.
This was a diplomatic practice aimed at self-promotion or the consolidation of alliances: Cristoforo Roncalli was one of the official painters of the Roman Curia, and donating one of his compositions—even if physically executed by his workshop—was equivalent to presenting a gift of the highest status.
Finally, the letters “RF,” which conclude the signature, may indicate that this is a replica of a work by Roncalli (Roncallius Faciebat). **Cristoforo Roncalli, known as Il Pomarancio, Holy Family and Angels, 1602–1605, 155x110 cm, Galleria Borghese, Rome
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.
