GIORDANO, Luca
(b. 1634, Napoli, d. 1705, Napoli)

Crucifixion of St Peter

c. 1660
Oil on canvas, 196 x 258 cm
Gallerie dell'Accademia, Venice

Coming from the naturalist studio of the Spaniard Giuseppe Ribera, follower of Caravaggio, the Neapolitan Luca Giordano was also influenced by the Roman Baroque artists as well as by the Venetian 16th century painters. His fluid, luminous style anticipates the development of Venetian painting in the 18th century. In this work the rhythmic articulations of the composition around the cross of St Peter and the smoky colour which seems to fuse in the golden light combine to create an effect of continual movement and intense realism.




© Web Gallery of Art, created by Emil Krén and Daniel Marx.