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556 - Archangel Saint Michael, surrounded by angels before God the…
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Estimate €22,000 - €50,000
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Description
Archangel Saint Michael, surrounded by angels before God the Father, Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit, in the style of Bernardo Bitti; a Peruvian colonial work, 17th century Oil on copper; framed dimensions: 84 x 63; copper dimensions: 48 x 38 cm. The magnificent depiction before us adheres to the canons of the most exquisite colonial refinement, which in turn draws upon the traditions of the Italian Renaissance, particularly those of the Italian painter Bernardo Bitti, who came to the Viceroyalty of Peru; in this work, we can observe a significant influence from painters such as El Greco. Bernardo Bitti, a Jesuit priest and Italian painter, carried out his work in Lima, Cusco, Juli, Ayacucho, La Paz and Sucre. The Spanish—and, more broadly, European—contribution to the Cusco School of painting began at a very early stage, when construction of the cathedral commenced. Bernardo Bitti arrived in Peru on 31 May 1575 to ‘evangelise through art’, at the request of the Provincial of the Society of Jesus, Father Bracamonte. He worked in Lima from 1575, moving to Cusco in 1583 and then, in 1585, to Juliaca, Puno. A return to Cusco between 1595 and 1598 is documented; according to José de Mesa and Teresa Gisbert, he alternated his stays in the city with visits to Chuquisaca and Arequipa, continuing to do so until as late as 1600. There is mention of Bitti spending time in Arequipa again around 1603, before returning to Lima in 1604, the city where he would remain until his death in 1610. His great artistic talent made him the principal and exclusive painter of the Jesuit order. He was a renowned painter and sculptor from South America during the 16th century. Although he never signed any of his paintings, his style has become unmistakable. Among its main characteristics, we can highlight the predominant use of line, the mere suggestion of volume, the elongated figures in the Mannerist style, and the sophistication in the postures of his figures, which are rendered using a serpentine line. Naturalism is ...
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About the sale GRAND JULY AUCTION – FINE ART, OLD MASTERS AND JEWELLERY
Auction location
Auction time 07/15/2026 at 3:00 PM
Pictures credits: Contact the Auction House
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