Bidspirit auction | ALESSANDRO MAGNASCO, CALLED IL LISSANDRINO

ALESSANDRO MAGNASCO, CALLED IL LISSANDRINO (GENOA 1667 – 1749) . Atributted . - ALESSANDRO MAGNASCO, CALLED IL LISSANDRINO (GENOA 1667 – 1749) . Atributted . Monks in a Refectory or Cloister Kitchen. This dramatic and intensely atmospheric work is a masterful example of the late Italian Baroque pittura di tocco (painting of touch), a style defined by the visionary genius of Alessandro Magnasco. The composition depicts a group of monks gathered in a dimly lit, rustic interior, capturing the raw, unvarnished reality of monastic life. The scene is pierced by a sharp, spiritual light that accentuates the coarse textures of the habits and the expressive, almost skeletal forms of the figures. The work displays the quintessential ”nervous” energy and flickering brushwork that are the hallmarks of Il Lissandrino. The elongated silhouettes, the frantic, staccato application of paint, and the somber, monochromatic palette of earthy browns and deep ochres reflect Magnasco’s unique ability to blend religious devotion with a sense of the grotesque and the eccentric. Every element, from the agitated gestures of the monks to the stark architectural details and the small animal in the foreground, contributes to a sense of restless vitality. This canvas is a significant representation of Magnasco’s fascination with the ascetic life, standing as a testament to his role as one of the most original and avant-garde painters of the 18th century. Oil on canvas, 48 x 34.5 cm Dimensions 48 x 34.5 cm