Annual Bulletin 1, 1977-1978
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Mattia Preti: The Feast of Absalom
by John T. Spike
Pages 1
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Notes
16 Among these should be noted another representation by Preti of
The Feast of Absalom (Museo di Capodimonte, Naples). From De
Dominici's description, op. cit., vol. III, p.372, the Capodimonte painting was
probably in the Neapolitan collection of the Duca di Severino, where it had the
same pendant as today, Preti's Feast of Belshazzar. In this subsequent
consideration of the theme Preti emphasized its cruelty and employed a
severely limited palette with sombre values. From comparison with Preti's
Conversion of St Paul (Chapel of France, Co-Cathedral of St John, Valletta),
datable to 1667 by documents the author will publish in Storia
dell' arte (1979),
the Capodimonte Feast of Absalom was probably painted c. 1668.
17 "Chi va appresso al Calabrese non può errare la strada, che
conduce a perfezione," De Dominici, op, cit., vol, III, p. 385.
18 De Dominici, op.cit., vol. 111, p. 352, quotes Luca Giordano
making this same observation in a different context. With reference
to the paintings of San Pietro a Maiella, Luca supposedly offered to accept
them if the monks did not, adding, "essi sarrebbero stati per l'avvenire
la scuola della studiosa gioventù."
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