Rutilio Manetti Siena bapt 1571 - 1639

Manetti's early works emerge as part of the Sienese mannerist tradition, dominated by the influence of Federico Barocci, and indeed he was the pupil of one of its leading exponents, Francesco Vanni.  Manetti's works demonstrate a paricular liking for light effects and the metallic colouring of, amongst others, Ventura Salimbeni's paintings.  In 1615 Manetti's style changed considerably and his paintings became increasingly Caravaggesque: whether this is due to a possible trip to Rome or whether it is the diffused influence of Sienese Caravaggists such as Francesco Rustici and Orazio Riminaldi, is not certain.  His early works however, painted before 1610, demonstrate the influence of both Salimbeni and Vanni, to whom some of Manetti's paintings were formerly ascribed.  This particular work would seem to date from this phase, probably around 1600 or shortly afterwards, and may be compared to other works of the period: for example, his Archangel Gabriel appearing to San Galgano, also on copper, in the Galleria degli Uffizi, Florence (reproduced in Rutilio Manetti 1571-1639, exhibition catalogue, Siena, Palazzo Publico, 15 June -15 October 1978, pp. 74-5, cat. no. 9)