Domenichino: 7 works

'Domenichino, who is renowned for his large-scale frescoes, history paintings, and altarpieces, became Italy's leading classical painter in the first half of the seventeenth century. Trained at the Carracci Academy in his native city of Bologna, he came to Rome in 1602 to work under Annibale Carracci at the Farnese Palace.'

'Domenichino paid particular attention to individualized types; the attendant soldiers and executioners seem studiously painted from individual models.'

'The execution seems to be by an assistant, although Domenichino did make four preparatory chalk drawings for the painting (Windsor, Royal Collection).'

'Seven chalk preparatory drawings for the figures by Domenichino survive (Windsor, Royal Collection).'

'While the landscape is the finest in the series and was probably made by Domenichino himself, the authorship of the figures is less secure and may have been assigned to an assistant.'

'Domenichino's participation in the painting was likely limited to the portrait of the dwarf in chains at lower right.'

'This 17th century painting by Italian artist Domenichino, retained the attention of Louis XIV who had it installed in his Grand Apartment, then in his Interior Apartment.'