![]() Though considered a master of the Baroque, Reni’s work showcases a singular classical style that made an indelible mark on the course of art. Guido Reni was born in Bologna in 1575 and rose to be the most famous Italian painter of his generation. A similar, smaller oil on canvas depicting Mary Magdalene predates this original to 1627 and was formerly housed in the Barberini collection in Rome. Reni’s original 1633 Saint Mary Magdalene canvas on which this oil on alabaster is based was painted for Cardinal Antonio Santacroce and now resides in the Galleria Nazionale d'Arte Antica in Rome. One of his most popular subjects in the 1620s and 1630s, Mary Magdalene was something of an iconographic specialty for Reni, who executed various versions to please a public that prized them and continually requested them. Surrounding this magnificent painting are superb pietre dure hardstone inlays of jasper, agate and lapis lazuli, mingled with Roman silver on an ebonized wood frame. Depicted with luxurious, long hair draped over her body - symbolizing the saint’s inherent sensuality - her outstretched hand rests on the iconic skull that faithfully accompanies her likeness in religious art. Saint Mary Magdalene gazes upward towards the heavens in a penitent pose, as two putti-like cherubs float above. We have services and procedures in place to make your acquisition process both enjoyable and efficient.This incredibly rare 17th-century oil on alabaster depicts the Saint Mary Magdalene, rendered after Italian Baroque painter Guido Reni’s masterpiece of the same name. Whether you are just starting your collection, adding to an existing collection or even decorating your home, our team’s knowledge and experience can assist you in your endeavor. And, because our network of contacts spans generations, we are often able to acquire pieces that may have otherwise never been available on the market. Our clients can be certain that each and every piece in our gallery has been hand-selected and carefully vetted for authenticity, condition and provenance. ![]() Our commitment to curating the world’s most extraordinary and beautiful treasures has remained steadfast and our acquisition philosophy is simple: seek out and acquire only the very finest works whose provenance, beauty and rarity set them apart from all others. Rau has been recognized as a leader in the antiques industry and today our collections of rare silver, furniture, clocks, porcelain, glass and objets d'art are second to none. This work is featured on page 207 of Anna Maria Massinelli’s book, Painting in Stone. As a result, true marble and stone examples such as this are very rare and highly collectible. Both expensive and time-consuming, the art of pietre dure requires not only precious materials but also highly skilled craftsmen. The meticulous technique requires that fine marbles and stones be carefully and artfully inlaid into a stone base. The art of pietre dure developed from the ancient art of opus sectile, where materials were cut and inlaid into walls and floors to form a decorative pattern. The superlative quality and beauty of the stone specimens utilized to create the composition distinguish this piece, and the artist’s ingenious use of the natural striations and inclusions in his stones allows him to convey texture and shadow to brilliant effect. The work is emblematic of the charming scenes of rural life that were favored by Italian pietre dure artists. ![]() ![]() A young man clad in classical robes paints an amphora vase as an attractive admirer observes him in this magnificent pietre dure plaque by Florentine artisan Alberto Menegatti.
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