Luca Cambiaso

The leading artist in Genoa in the 16th century, Cambiaso made his name through the grand fresco schemes he designed and executed, often in collaboration, in churches and palaces throughout Genoa. In the last fifteen years of his life his interest turned more towards religious subjects for private collectors, such as the present work, the stark lighting and simplicity of composition serving to heighten devotional expression.

Two other autograph versions of this composition are, respectively, in the Museo dell'Accademia Ligustica di Belle Arti, Genoa,¹ and in the Galleria degli Uffizi, Florence, both datable to between 1570-75.²

1. Inv. no. 59, oil on canvas, 67 x 56 cm.; see B. Suida Manning and W. Suida, Luca Cambiaso - la vita e le opere, Milan 1958, p. 63, reproduced plate CLV, fig. 250.
2. Inv. no. 776, oil on canvas, 74 x 57 cm.; see Suida Manning and Suida 1958, p. 135, reproduced plate CLVI, fig. 252.