Francesco Solimena

(Serino, 1657 - Napoli, 1747)

Sphere of

Oil on canvas

cm. 76x63. Framed

The various versions of the subject of the Visitation that have been attributed, with varying degrees of persuasiveness, to Francesco Solimena and his circle all derive, to different extents, from the certainly autograph version executed by the painter for the transept of the Neapolitan church of Santa Maria Donnalbina between 1698 and 1701. Owing to its simplicity and effectiveness, the composition devised by Solimena lent itself particularly well to countless layout adaptations and compositional variations: indeed, both copies and paintings with altered arrangements or entirely original additions are recorded, produced either by his workshop or by his followers. Within this group, the present example stands out for its overall high quality of execution.