CATARINO DI MARCO DA VENEZIA, circa, probably... Lot 3009

CATARINO DI MARCO DA VENEZIA, circa, probably MARCO DI MARTINO DE ROXATIS (active in Venice, 14th century) (active in Venice circa 1375) Saint Christina of Bolsena. Circa 1375. Tempera on wood. Inscribed at upper left: S[ancta] XP[isti]NA. 98 × 39.5 cm. Expert opinion: Prof. Andrea De Marchi, 6.7.2020. Provenance: - Auction Fischer, Lucerne, 21-22.6.1968, lot 69 (as Paolo Veneziano). - Auction Fischer, Lucerne, 12-16.11.1974, lot 1755 (as Lorenzo Veneziano). - Swiss private property. This impressive panel was most likely created as an autonomous painting in honor of the depicted Saint Christina. The saint depicted in an extremely richly ornamented dress and red cloak can be identified as Saint Christina thanks to the inscription XP(isti)NA. This saint was particularly venerated in Venice. Saint Christina appears in this panel as an imposing figure whose slight body turn and gaze are directed towards the viewer of the painting. With her left hand, she raises her red cloak slightly, as if to offer protection to the praying benefactor kneeling before her. Because of its archaic appearance, the present panel has been associated in the past with the founding father of Venetian painting, Paolo Veneziano (c. 1333-1358), as well as with Lorenzo Veneziano (1336-1379) (see Provenance Fischer Lucerne 1968 and 1974). However, as Prof. Gaudenz Freuler points out, the naturalistic tendencies of the founder's profile as well as the technical details of the gold decoration point to a later period of origin, in the second half of the 14th century. Even if the impressive, highly refined painted panel can be placed in observance of Paolo Veneziano's art, it was probably created in the years around 1370-80. We thank Prof. Gaudenz Freuler for his scientific support in cataloguing this lot.