Attr. to Domenico Lupini

Oil painting on canvas. The model derives from an engraving by Marcantonio Raimondi based on a drawing by Raphael, specially created for the graphic work, and derived from a painting located in the Stanza della Segnatura (1513-1515) in the Vatican Museums. This model was subsequently taken up and varied both in painted works and in other engravings, in particular in that of Raphael Sadeler of 1589, currently in the Cabinet of Drawings and Prints of the Accademia Carrara in Bergamo: the painting proposed here in fact shows the same changes made compared to the Raphaelesque original. At the center of the mythological scene immersed in a natural landscape, are the three goddesses who competed for the title of the most beautiful: Juno with the peacock, her symbolic animal, Venus accompanied by Cupid, and Minerva next to whom are the helmet, the spear and the shield. Paris, from behind, is giving the golden apple that declares the winner to the goddess of love, under the gaze of judge Mercury. Two putti flutter around the protagonists, while in the foreground, always from behind, there is a male figure. A country boarding school is taking place on the lawn behind. The work, as attested by a small scroll, is attributed to Domenico Lupini, an artist about whom not much is known but whose sphere of activity can be hypothesized between Bergamo and Venice. The only two signed works are a "Converted Magdalene" and an "Annunciation", but other works have been attributed to him by the scholar Federica Nurchis and placed in the monastery of Santa Chiara in Bergamo. The painting presents a warm and refined chromaticism which, together with the elegance of the characters and the compositional method, suggest a Venetian stay for Lucini, which seems to recall the atmospheres of Tintoretto, Veronese and Palma il Giovane. The painting shows signs of restoration and relining.

Attributed to Domenico Lupini

Oil on canvas. The painting depicts an episode from Roman mythology relating to the young Roman heroine Clelia, who was given as a hostage, along with other maidens, to the Etruscan king Porsenna during peace negotiations with the city; Clelia managed to escape, however, by swimming across the Tiber. Porsenna demanded her return to the Romans, who agreed, but admiring her heroism, he decided to free her by allowing her to take other prisoners with her, whom Clelia chose from among the younger ones. The moment depicted in the painting is that of the crossing of the river, the personification of which is in the foreground on the right, in the figure of the canine old man, accompanied by a young woman with a cornucopia. The scene is very dynamic, with Clelia and the other maidens creating a dense and animated group around the horse ridden by the protagonist, as some versions of the story recall; behind them are the tents of the Etruscan king's camp with some soldiers. On the other side of the river is another group of women who have already made the crossing, while in the background is the classical-looking Capitoline city. The work, as a small cartouche attests, is attributed to Domenico Lupini, an artist about whom not much is known but whose sphere of activity can be assumed to have been between Bergamo and Venice. The only two signed works are a 'Converted Magdalene' and an 'Annunciation', but other works have been attributed to him by scholar Federica Nurchis and are located in the monastery of Santa Chiara in Bergamo. The painting presents a warm and refined chromatism that, together with the elegance of the characters and the compositional mode, suggest Lucini's Venetian sojourn, which seems to recall the atmospheres of Tintoretto, Veronese and Palma il Giovane. The painting shows signs of restoration and retouching.