Belgian school (XIX) - San Bonaventura

European school between the 18th and 19th centuries
Saint Bonaventure
Oil on canvas

Important ancient painting depicting Saint Bonaventure, Doctor of the Church and central figure of Franciscan spirituality, shown in a half-bust and in profile, in a sober and contemplative iconography. The saint is recognizable by his ascetic appearance, the tonsured head, the short beard, and the dark habit of the order, elements that emphasize his contemplative vocation and spiritual rigor.

The hand, resting gently on the chest, adds a strong devotional and introspective note, while the absorbed expression on the face conveys an image of deep interiority. The composition is set against a neutral background, free of narrative elements, focusing attention exclusively on the figure.

The technique in oil on canvas is characterized by a restrained palette, dominated by browns, blacks and warm ochers, with a measured use of chiaroscuro that models the volumes of the face and gives the subject solidity and presence. The style recalls the great European painting tradition from the late Renaissance to the early Baroque, with evident affinities to the work of masters such as El Greco, Francisco de Zurbarán and Jusepe de Ribera, particularly for formal austerity, spiritual tension, and the tactile rendering of the painting surface.

The fabric shows an antique patina and signs of natural wear consistent with the age of the work, without compromising its readability or its historical-artistic value.

Professional cleaning recommended; there are small touch-ups on the painted surface. Note: the frame is included.


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