1994.26
Study for the Glory of Saint Gaudentius of Novara
Artists
Artist Unidentified
;
Stefano Maria Legnani (Legnanino)
(1660 - 1715, Bologna, Italy)
Title
Study for the Glory of Saint Gaudentius of Novara
Creation Date
1691
Century
17th century
Dimensions
21 in. x 27 1/8 in. (53.34 cm. x 68.9 cm.)
Object Type
painting
Creation Place
Europe, Italy
Medium and Support
oil on canvas
Credit Line
Gift of Florence and Joseph Recht, and Rudolph Binion, in memory of Roberta Ellen Recht
Copyright
Public Domain
Accession Number
1994.26
The Basilica of Saint Gaudenzio in Novara, Piedmont, holds in its Scurolo (literally a “dark chamber”) the crystal sarcophagus of the revered first bishop and patron saint of the city, Saint Gaudentius. In 1691, the Milanese painter Stefano Maria Legnani, called Il Legnanino, was contracted to decorate the chapel with frescos that glorify the memory of the saint. This study has been recently identified as a preparatory work for this prestigious and highly visible commission. Il Legnanino had received his training in Bologna before he joined the workshop of Carlo Maratta in 1686 and was later active in the northern Italian cities Genova, Torino, and Milan. Many of his frescos and altarpieces on canvas can still be seen in their original locations, including his Glory of Saint Gaudentius of Novara.