Genovesino's Baroque Mastery Explored in Cremona Exhibition
At the Museo Civico in Cremona, a significant exhibition features the 17th-century artist Luigi Miradori, also known as Genovesino, who worked in Genoa, Piacenza, and Cremona. The display chronicles his artistic journey, beginning in Genoa under the influence of Rubens and van Dyck, moving to Piacenza from 1632 to 1635, and culminating in his extended period in Cremona starting in 1637. His varied body of work includes religious pieces such as the Sacrifice of Isaac and the Adoration of the Magi. The exhibition emphasizes private commissions that delve into vanitas themes, including Suonatrice di liuto and the poignant Death of Saint Charles Borromeo (1642), along with Rest on the Flight into Egypt (1651). Genovesino's art was occasionally misattributed to Spanish artists, and his portrayal of Zenobia drew inspiration from Calderón de la Barca.
Key facts
- Luigi Miradori, known as Genovesino, was born in Genoa in the early 1600s.
- He worked in Piacenza under the Farnese between 1632 and 1635.
- He moved to Cremona in 1637 and stayed for 20 years, becoming the city's leading artist.
- His works are difficult to date due to stylistic diversity.
- The exhibition includes 'Sacrifice of Isaac' (London, Colnaghi) and 'Adoration of the Magi' (Parma, Galleria Nazionale).
- 'Suonatrice di liuto' (Genoa, Museo di Palazzo Rosso) was once attributed to Caravaggio or Orazio Gentileschi.
- 'Death of Saint Charles Borromeo' (1642) is noted for its expressive power.
- 'Rest on the Flight into Egypt' (1651) from Sant'Imerio is described as a 'penicillorum ludus'.
- Genovesino's works were sometimes misattributed to Spanish painters like Zurbarán.
- His portrait of Zenobia was inspired by Calderón de la Barca's play 'La gran Cenobia'.
- Álvaro Quiñones, Spanish governor of Cremona, was his main patron.
Entities
Artists
- Luigi Miradori (Genovesino)
- Peter Paul Rubens
- Anthony van Dyck
- Federico Borromeo
- Caravaggio
- Orazio Gentileschi
- Francisco de Zurbarán
- Calderón de la Barca
- Álvaro Quiñones
Institutions
- Museo Civico di Cremona
- Colnaghi (London)
- Galleria Nazionale (Parma)
- Musei di Strada Nuova – Palazzo Rosso (Genoa)
- Church of Sant'Imerio (Cremona)
Locations
- Genoa
- Italy
- Piacenza
- Cremona
- London
- United Kingdom
- Parma
- Spain