GIUSEPPE BARTOLOMEO CHIARI
(Rome, 1654 - 1727)

The Triumph of Amore on the arts
Oil on canvas, 92 x 67.5 cm
The painting in question is attributed to Giuseppe Bartolomeo Chiari, a pupil of Carlo Maratta. The artist, who attended master’s workshop at the age of twelve, began to be more popular
with works such as the canvases for Tedalini-Bentivoglio chapel in San Silvestro in Capite, The Triumph of Marcantonio II Colonna (Barberini Palace in Rome) and others. He reached the pinnacle of success in the early eighteenth century, under Pope Clement XI Albani getting highly relevant orders.
The canvas in question dates back to around 1712, when he was involved in the commission of the Marquis Livio de Carolis for his palace in Rome.
Amore, crowned by laurels, is surrounded by open books, musical instruments, squares and compasses, symbols referring to the world of the arts.
The work presents different cultural references ranging from Maratti, with regard to the laying of Amore as well as for the classical style of the surrounding landscape, to Baciccio and Pietro da Cortona for the physiognomy of the face.
The composition appears balanced and elegant, light and nuanced in the drapery and movement.