The category of Old Masters, here presented throught the works exhibited by a selection of the galleries participating to the Biennale, comprehends works of art from the XIV to the XVII Century. In this section it is possible to study the evolution of paintings from their devotional purpose to the celebration of heroic and mythological figures. 

Pala Rigoli. Madonna and the Child enthroned between Saint John the Baptist, Saint Francis, angels and donor (unknown - unknown) by Alesso di Benozzo GozzoliBiennale Internazionale dell'Antiquariato di Firenze

Madonna and Child and the Sacra Conversazione

The devotional and intimate representation of the Madonna and Child has in time opened to the presence of other figures in the act of worshipping the two enthroned figures. These devoted participants where usually Saints, Angels and Donors, whose mutual contemplation was the topic of the conversation that is represented and that give the name to this genre painting.

The Virgin with The Child (1490/1490) by Giovanni BelliniBiennale Internazionale dell'Antiquariato di Firenze

The Virgin with The Child by Giovanni Bellini (1490) was probably made in collaboration with the painter Antonio Solario.

As we can see in this detail, the painting in signed on low right by Giovanni Bellini.

Madonna and the Child with a prayer (XVI century - XVI century) by Bernadino LuiniBiennale Internazionale dell'Antiquariato di Firenze

In this panel by Bernardino Luini the Madonna and the Child are represented with a prayer.

Salvator Mundi between four Saints (1111/1111) by Vittore CarpaccioBiennale Internazionale dell'Antiquariato di Firenze

Holy Family (XVI century) by Pierantonio PalmeriniBiennale Internazionale dell'Antiquariato di Firenze

Madonna and the Child with Saint Anne and Saint John (unknown - unknown) by Pieter de Witte called Pietro CandidoBiennale Internazionale dell'Antiquariato di Firenze

Madonna and the Child (1630/1630) by Guido CagnacciBiennale Internazionale dell'Antiquariato di Firenze

Sacra Conversazione with a donor (sconosciuta - sconosciuta) by Angelo CaroselliBiennale Internazionale dell'Antiquariato di Firenze

In this painting all the figures are connected to each other by gestures and glances.

The Virgin with The Sleeping Child (1647) by Giovanni Francesco Barbieri, detto il GuercinoBiennale Internazionale dell'Antiquariato di Firenze

In this canvas by Guercino, the Child is represented asleep, tenderly held by his mother.

St. Jerome (1608 - 1610 ca.) by Pier Francesco Mazzucchelli, detto il MorazzoneBiennale Internazionale dell'Antiquariato di Firenze

Portraits and Saints

The gestures, attitude and clothes were key elements in portraits to represent the different typologies of person. This task became even more complicate when Saints or religious figures had to be depicted: the representation of a moral virtue had to overcome the accuracy of the physical aspect. Aside from religious representations, portraits in time evolved from their elitist aim of celebrating the rich and powerful to the more social one of recording the different levels of society. The portraits presented at the Biennale offer a complete overview of this evolution.

A Bishop, Saint Bartholomew and a prophet (XIV century - XIV century) by Andrea BonaiutiBiennale Internazionale dell'Antiquariato di Firenze

Saint Damian, Bonifacio Bembo, 1444/1477, From the collection of: Biennale Internazionale dell'Antiquariato di Firenze
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Saint Cosma, Bonifacio Bembo, 1444/1477, From the collection of: Biennale Internazionale dell'Antiquariato di Firenze
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Four Doctors of the Church (1455/1460) by Antonino da Viterbo, il vecchioBiennale Internazionale dell'Antiquariato di Firenze

Portrait of a Gentleman (1558/1558) by Sofonisba AnguissolaBiennale Internazionale dell'Antiquariato di Firenze

Portrait (1568/1570) by Santi di TitoBiennale Internazionale dell'Antiquariato di Firenze

The moor beggar (XVIII century - XVII century) by Giacomo CerutiBiennale Internazionale dell'Antiquariato di Firenze

Portait of a gentleman (1750/1750) by Giacomo CerutiBiennale Internazionale dell'Antiquariato di Firenze

Portrait of Anataloy Deminow on a horse, Karl Brullov (Brjullov), 1830/1830, From the collection of: Biennale Internazionale dell'Antiquariato di Firenze
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Demidov on horseback; horse paws and vegetation (recto); Horses; vegetation (verso), Karl Brullov (Brjullov), XIX century - XIX century, From the collection of: Biennale Internazionale dell'Antiquariato di Firenze
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St. Jerome (1608 - 1610 ca.) by Pier Francesco Mazzucchelli, detto il MorazzoneBiennale Internazionale dell'Antiquariato di Firenze

St. Matthew (XVII century - XVII century) by Jusepe de RiberaBiennale Internazionale dell'Antiquariato di Firenze

The procession of the carnival wagon of the prince Giovan Battista Borghese for the masquerade of the fat Thursday of 1664 (1664) by Johan Paul SchorBiennale Internazionale dell'Antiquariato di Firenze

The Best Painting of the 30th edition of BIAF (1of 2)

The big painting  "Il corteo del carro carnevalesco del principe Giovan Battista Borghese per la mascherata del giovedì grasso del 1664" by the artist Johan Paul Schor and in the Roman gallery Alessandra Di Castro, has been awarded the prize of Best Painting of the 30th edition of BIAF. 

Credits: Story

I am gratefull to the staff of the Biennale Internazionale dell’Antiquariato and the Secretary Fabrizio Moretti for allowing this partnership to happen.
Thanks to the galleries that supported and joined this exhibition.
Special thanks to the kindness and patience of the staff of the Google Cultural Insitute and all the friends that have supported me in this project.
Luigi de Benedetto

Credits: All media
The story featured may in some cases have been created by an independent third party and may not always represent the views of the institutions, listed below, who have supplied the content.
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