Vincenzo Rustici, 1556/57 Siena – 1632 ebenda Lot n° 264

THE MYSTICAL MENTION OF THE HOLY CATHARINA OF ALEXANDRIA, plus CATHARINA OF SIENA AND THE HOLY AGNES Oil on canvas. 90 x 75 cm. Unframed. Attached an expertise of Marco Ciampolini, Siena, October 2020. The painting, probably created for a side altar, shows in the center Mary with the Child Jesus, surrounded by the three aforementioned figures of the saints. Primarily shown here is the "mystical marriage" of Catherine of Alexandria, who is given the ring by the infant Jesus while maintaining eye contact with Mary. In contrast, the eponymous Catherine of Siena is shown in the upper right corner of the picture, with her attribute of the lily. She was considered a mystic and a teacher of the Church, was canonized in 1461, and has been considered the patron saint of Europe since 1999. Below on the right, Agnes is shown, recognizable by her martyr's palm and lamb as attributes of the saint. The composition of these female saints - a type of painting known as "conversazione" - may indicate that the painting was commissioned by a convent of nuns. Certainly the composition was not done arbitrarily, but in connection with the commission. Thus, St. Agnes, who is the only one who makes eye contact with the viewer, may be the namesake of a donor. The painting was formerly in the Galleria dello Studiolo in Milan, there still attributed to Orazio Samacchini. The enclosed expert's report, however, names Vincenzo Rustici, also on the basis of stylistic characteristics, and puts the time of the 1620s for the creation. The painting is cited and illustrated in the literature. A.R. Literature: Studiolo 2000, catalogo a cura die Stefano e Guido Cribori, Milano Studiolo 93 SRL, 2000, no. 4, fig. For Rustici: Marco Ciampolini, Pittori Senesi del Seicento, Siena 2010, p. 712. Further references in the expertise of Marco Ciampolini, Siena, October 2020. (13003011) (11) Vincenzo Rustici, 1556/57 Siena - 1632 ibid. THE MYSTICAL MARRIAGE OF SAINT CATHERINE OF ALEXANDRIA WITH SAINT CATHERINE OF SIENA AND SAINT AGNES Oil on canvas. 90 x 75 cm. Accompanied by an expert's report by Marco Ciampolini, Siena, October 2020. The painting was formerly held at the Galleria dello Studiolo in Milan, where it was still attributed to Orazio Samacchini. However, the expert's report provided here names Vincenzo Rustici, also based on stylistic features, and suggests its creation during the 1620s. The painting is cited and illustrated in the literature below. Literature: Studiolo 2000, catalogo a cura die Stefano e Guido Cribori, Milano Studiolo 93 SRL, 2000, no. 4, ill. Regarding Rustici: Marco Ciampolini, Pittori Senesi del Seicento, Siena 2010, p. 712. Further bibliography in expert's report by: Marco Ciampolini, Siena, October 2020.