"Lamentation over the Dead Christ"

Workshop of Francesco Cairo (Milan, 1607 - 1665)

Oil painting on canvas

Period 1st half of the 17th century

Antique 19th century golden frame

Canvas 50 x 66 frame 62 x 83

The work is in good condition

The canvas, full of intense drama, depicts an interesting and unusual composition of the "Lamentation over the Dead Christ"

The work is of excellent quality, and the highly expressive description of the protagonists denotes considerable portraiture ability.

It presents the pictorial characteristics of the Lombard school of the 1600s but there are also many references to the Emilian and Neapolitan schools.

These are precisely the requirements that distinguish the works of Francesco Cairo and his workshop.

In fact, in his production the bloodless figures of protagonists in ecstasy or lifeless in poses of total abandon stand out.

The canvas in question is typical of his repertoire; in particular, the well-defined body of Christ stands out in the center of the scene illuminated by a halo of light as is customary in his paintings.

The work is still on the first canvas placed on its original stretcher and the good conditions allow us to appreciate the beauty of the painting with its intense emotional and devotional message.