Giovanni Battista Salvi, known as il SASSOFERRATO (1609-1685 - Lot 121

Giovanni Battista Salvi, known as il SASSOFERRATO (1609-1685) and his workshop The Virgin at Prayer Oil on canvas H_55 cm W_37 cm The painter Giovanni Battista Salvi owes his nickname "Il Sassoferrato" to the small Marche town Marche region. He was taught by the leading artists of his time notably the Dominiquin, the Albane and above all Guido Reni, who seems to have played a mentor in his training. His style, resolutely oriented towards the Renaissance, particularly in his admiration for Raphael and his work with his admiration for Raphael. Although he left a body of work largely devoted to devotional painting, particularly of the Virgin, his self-portrait, now in the Uffizi Gallery in Florence at the Uffizi Gallery in Florence, testifies to his talent in other disciplines. other disciplines. His Virgins were a great success with the great collectors of the XIXᵉ century. Our painting belongs to one of the artist's models, of which several other versions. Sassoferrato and his studio developed compositions that they were to reproduce, sometimes with subtle variations in composition or tone. composition or tone. What his works have in common is an extreme softness of skin tone and a skilful balance of color, with soft pinks and deep lapis blues. deep lapis blue. Related works: - Sassoferrato, Virgin, 45 x 33 cm, Bordeaux museum, inv. Bx M 7189 - Sassoferrato, Virgin at prayer, 50.5 x 39 cm, Van Ham Cologne, inv. 21/11/2025, lot 1043, sold for €41190 - Sassoferrato, Virgin at prayer, 48.8 x 38.5 cm, Koller, 20/09/2024, lot 3046, sold for €32941 - Sassoferrato, Virgin at Prayer, 51 x 39.5 cm, Christie's, 08/12/2023, lot 159, sold for €55844