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| Title | Vision of St John the Divine | |
| Collection | Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery | |
| Artist | Attributed to Solimena, Francesco (Italian painter and draftsman, 1657-1747) | |
| Date Earliest | about 1690 | |
| Date Latest | about 1710 | |
| Description | Solimena's was one of the widest-ranging Neapolitan talents of the late Baroque, producing not only painting but architecture, music and poetry. He first studied with his father, Angelo, with whom he made his debut in collaborative works. In 1674, he travelled to Naples where he rapidly assimilated many influences notably those of Giordano, Cortona, Lanfranco and Preti, although his masters were Francesco di Maria and Giuseppe Recco. Giordano's departure in 1692 left the field open for Solimena who readily assumed the role of the city's leading painter. Around this time, Solimena's work took on darker colouring as a result of Preti's influence. However, his Francophile sense of elegance anticipates aspects of Rococo style. | |
| Current Accession Number | 1964P18 | |
| Former Accession Number | P.18´64 | |
| Subject | religion (St John the Divine) | |
| Measurements | 74.9 x 50.2 cm cm (estimate) | |
| Material | oil on canvas | |
| Acquisition Details | Purchased from P. & D. Colnaghi Co. Ltd 1964. | |
| Publications | Foreign Paintings in Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery, A Summary Catalogue, 1983, no. 136. | |
| Notes | Attribution to Vaccaro (presumably Lorenzo) made by Dottoressa Nicola Spinosa, 1981 (letter in gallery archives). Solimena attribution seems accurate. | |
| Rights Owner | Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery | |
| Author | Dr Patricia Smyth | |