Francesco Rosa

The painting has an old relining and appears in remarkably well preserved condition under its yellowed varnish. There is a seam running horizontally across the canvas 30 cm from the lower edge and two minor holes are present. The painting appears to be in good condition both with the naked eye and under UV light, and would respond well to a clean. Offered in a later wood and plaster froame with some minor knocks.
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A Genoese by birth, Francesco Rosa was active in Venice between 1660-1678 and then again by 1710. As this picture shows, he can be classed with the other Venetian tenebrists such as Gregorio Lazzarini, whom he taught for two years. Other works by the artist include a signed and dated Saint Anthony reviving a Child from 1670 in the Chiesa dei Frari, Venice.¹ We are most grateful to Professor Lino Moretti for proposing the attribution on the basis of a photograph.

1. See C. Donzelli and G.M. Pilo, I pittori del Seicento veneto, Florence 1967, p. 359, reproduced fig. 389.