Bidspirit auction | Attributed to Henri Nicolas van

Attributed to Henri Nicolas van Gorp (Paris, 1756- Val-d'Oise, 1819) - Saint Charles Borromeo - Oil on canvas. Dimensions: 98 x 80 cm. Signed and dated ”Vangorp 1810” on the frame.  This artist specialized in costumbrist scenes of popular character and portraits, with religious works being rare, which gives this painting particular iconographic significance. His works are housed in museums such as those in Épinal, Rouen, Saint-Omer, and the British Museum. In this piece, featuring Saint Charles Borromeo, the saint is depicted praying before a crucifix in his role as the Bishop of Milan. Van Gorp’s composition is inspired by a print by French engraver Gérard Edelinck, dated around 1690. The scene takes place inside a temple, where Saint Charles, kneeling before an altar, pleads with Christ on the cross to end the plague that ravaged Milan in 1576. He is accompanied by two priests holding torches, indicating that the prayer occurs at night. One of the priests lifts the train of the cardinal's robe, revealing his bloodied feet, a symbolic detail of the saint's suffering. The monumental columns in the background reinforce the solemnity and significance of the event depicted. A certificate issued by Mr. Enrique Vandivieso is included. Attached is a certificate issued by D. Enrique Vandivieso.