Fondazione Sorgente Group pays tribute to the painter Guido Reni on the occasion of the 450th anniversary of his birth, the 4th of November 1575. A great master of the 17th century Bolognese school, he was called by the contemporaries “The Divine Guido” for his refined, soft style and for the harmony of the forms in his pursuit of ideal beauty. He was also famous for his “introspective” portraits, intimately depicted with deep emotional involvement.
So here are famous examples:
Virgin in Prayer
Oil on canvas (50×40 cm)
Executed in 1627 ca.
Fondazione Sorgente Group Collection
A highly emotional painting which is placed during the full artistic maturity of the great Bolognese master. The rarefied environment, the bright hues and glazed colour that characterize the Virgin in Prayer, make these prototypical of that delicate sentiment for which Reni became famous as well as emblematic of the entire painting culture of “Baroque classicism”.
St. Peter Repenting
Oil on canvas (62.5 x 48 cm)
Mainetti Collection
This intense depiction of St. Peter perfectly conveys the anguish and repentance of his remorse following his disownment of Christ, who had fallen into the hands of the Pharisees. The Bolognese master achieved his immense and much deserved fame thanks in part to his “introspective” portraits, captured at moments of intense emotion, as occurs in this painting through the saint’s imploring eyes wet with tears, which are turned directly to the Father.
The Infant Jesus sleeping on the Cross
Oil on canvas (76 x 64,5 cm)
Mainetti Collection
The image of the Infant Jesus sleeping on the Holy Cross with the Crown of Thorns and the Nails aside him is a referent to the love of God. It was probably inspired by a quote of the Cantico dei Cantici. Reni thus created a sense of balance and beauty that would remain distinctive elements in his work.
St. Francis praying to the Crucifix
Oil on canvas (69 x 82.5 cm)
Mainetti Collection
In this painting the artist wanted to depict a young, newly converted Francis in the act of worshipping Christ. A divine light falls diagonally across him from behind a sort of initiation of his apostolic mission and the greatness to which he was destined.