Artwork

Allegory of the Entry of Charles Bourbon into Naples

Allegory of the Entry of Charles Bourbon into Naples, by Francesco Solimena, unspecified, 1735
Allegory of the Entry of Charles Bourbon into Naples, by Francesco Solimena, unspecified, 1735

Allegory of the Entry of Charles Bourbon into Naples is an unspecified painting by Francesco Solimena. It dates from 1735 and is held in the collection of the Los Angeles County Museum of Art.

About this work

Overview

Allegory of the Entry of Charles Bourbon into Naples is a 1735 painting by Francesco Solimena, a prominent Italian Baroque artist. The work belongs to the allegorical genre and is part of the Los Angeles County Museum of Art's collection.

Subject & Meaning

The painting depicts a celebratory scene of Charles Bourbon's entry into Naples, symbolized by a robed figure on horseback with a scepter, surrounded by people and angels amidst architectural grandeur, conveying themes of triumph and importance.

Technique & Style

Solimena employed his characteristic dramatic lighting, utilizing chiaroscuro to create depth and draw focus to the central figure, reflecting his later shift towards a more restrained classicism after initial influences from Giordano and Preti.

History & Provenance

Completed in 1735, the painting's provenance prior to its acquisition by the Los Angeles County Museum of Art is not detailed here, highlighting only its current institutional ownership.

Context

Created during Solimena's later period, the work exemplifies the Baroque style's evolution in 18th-century Italy, blending dramatic elements with classicism, characteristic of the artist's mature output.

Legacy

While specific influences of this allegory on subsequent art are not highlighted, it contributes to the broader legacy of Solimena's contributions to Italian Baroque painting, notable for its lighting techniques and allegorical themes.

Artist & collection

Portrait of Francesco Solimena

Artist

Francesco Solimena

Francesco Solimena (4 October 1657 – 3 April 1747) was a prolific Italian Baroque painter, one of an established family of painters and draughtsmen.