Scuola romana (XIX) - Santa Filomena

The detailed Roman school painting presented here dates back to the early 19th century and depicts Saint Philomena with a visual language that combines neoclassical elegance and aestheticizing spirituality. The saint is reclining on a richly upholstered dais, in a composed and harmonious pose reminiscent of the academic models popular in Rome. The figure is distinguished by the idealized grace of her face, with half-closed eyes and a faint smile, a sign of calm and otherworldly contemplation. Her long, flowing hair, framed by a garland of flowers, emphasizes her status as a virgin martyr, while the admirable attributes—palm, lilies, and arrow—corroborate the iconographic reference.
The chromatic interplay between the warm pink of the tunic, the intense blue of the cloak, and the silvery reflections of the drape creates a delicate balance that accentuates the purity of the young woman. The exquisite folds of the draperies are modeled with meticulous attention to detail, enhancing the overall softness of the form. The golden background, essential and devoid of narrative elements, isolates the Saint in a symbolic space, suspended between earth and heaven.
Filomena, a young Christian martyr, venerated after the discovery of her relics, stands out here as a regal symbol of purity and unshakeable faith.

The painting comes from a private collection in Lombardy.
It was relined in the last century and deserves some camouflage-chromatic compensation.

As a gift, the work comes with a charming golden frame.

Dimensions: 52 cm x 41 cm.