Italian school (XVIII) - Santa Filomena di Roma

Rare trapezoidal oil painting on canvas from the late 18th century - Saint Philomena of Rome with an original contemporaneous frame
Fascinating oil painting on canvas dating to the second half of the 18th century / early 19th century, depicting the classical devotional iconography of Saint Philomena of Rome. The Saint is shown in a reclining position on rich cushions inside her urna, wrapped in finely decorated garments. On the head she wears the aureole and a flowering garland, while in the left hand she holds the traditional white lily, a symbol of virginal purity.
At the bottom of the base are clearly painted the symbols of her martyrdom: the anchor and the crossbow-like arrows.
In the lower left corner the small ampoule containing the blood of martyrdom is also visible, a rare iconographic detail with strong devotional impact.
Structural characteristics and geometric peculiarities:
The work presents a rare and particular trapezoidal shape, originally conceived to be inserted inside a sacred edicule, a side altar niche, or a monumental reliquary. The original contemporaneous frame faithfully follows this geometry, also designed to compensate for the perspective distortion for viewers looking at the object from below.
• Dimensions of the painting alone: Height: 27 cm | Width at the base: 31 cm | Width at the top: 38 cm.
• Overall dimensions with frame: Height: 37 cm | Width at the base: 40 cm | Width at the top: 50 cm | Thickness: 3 cm.
• Support: Original canvas of the period on hemp/linen with a medium-fine weave.
• Historical peculiarity on the back: On the frame wood are two rare fragments of period fabric tassels glued with the original adhesive. These are ancient devotional seals (fabrics in contact with relics or ecclesiastical inventory seals) that attest to its absolute authenticity and historical provenance.
• Frame: The work is set in its original contemporaneous carved wooden frame, custom-made to follow the trapezoidal shape of the painting and endowed with a splendid patina of time.
Condition:
The painting is in good overall condition, solid and integral in structure, with a splendid patina that testifies to its absolute authenticity and historical charm.