The Baptism of Zeno Bachit

Carlo Donati (1874-1949) studied at the Accademia Cignaroli of Verona under the guidance of Napoleone Nani. In addition to easel painting, he devoted himself several times to the decoration of church interiors. The constant moves contribute to isolate him from the cultural fervor brought to Verona by Casorati and the younger generation of artists, so as to determine a stylistic regression and a repetition of figural models. Since the mid 30s is increasingly emphasized the symbolic character of his compositions. The work "The Baptism of Zeno Bachit" (1900), where the flash of light breaks up a dense pictorial matter and played on dark tones, leads him to win the Biennale of Verona in 1908. Donati also executes the frame of the painting, inspired by the bronze door of the San Zeno church.