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San Nicola in gloria (Photo by New York Scugnizzo)
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By Giovanni di Napoli
[The following article was originally posted on October 18, 2009. I've since added photos of San Nicola in gloria (Museo Civico) from my visit to Naples in 2010, Saint Sebastian Cured by Saint Irene from the Philadelphia Museum of Art in 2011, King Tiridates Before Saint Gregory the Armenian from the Boston Museum of Art in 2012 and The Flight into Egypt from the Metropolitan Museum of Art, which I inadvertently left out the first time around. Also included, for illustrative purposes, is a reprint of a photo of Giordano's St. Benedict and the Miraculous Sacks of Grain from the Abbey of Montecassino, destroyed in 1944. For more on the lost works from the Abbey see, "Montecassino" by Robert Enggass, p. 41-55, A Taste For Angels, Yale University Art Gallery, 1987.]
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The Annunciation (New York Scugnizzo)
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Today I treated myself with a trip to New York City's Metropolitan Museum of Art. The occasion was in celebration of one of my favorite Southern Italian artists, Luca Giordano. I thought I would pay homage to the Baroque master on his birthday by viewing some of his works in person.
Luca Giordano was born on October 18, 1634 in Naples. He was the son of Antonio Giordano, who was also a painter. At an early age he apprenticed for Giuseppe Ribera during Spagnoletto's ("the little Spaniard's") Neapolitan sojourn. After Ribera's death the young artist traveled to Rome, Florence and Venice where he studied the work of Pietro da Cortona and other Northern masters. |
The Flight into Egypt (New York Scugnizzo)
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Giordano returned to Naples in 1653 to continue his studies. By 1665 he was painting again in Florence and Venice for the likes of the Medici. His frescoes in the dome of the Cappella Corsini in the Church of the Carmine and the Grand Gallery of Palazzo Medici-Riccardi are just some of his many works to be found in Northern Italy.
The Neapolitan's brilliance was internationally recognized. In 1692 Giordano was summoned to Madrid by Charles II of Spain and served as court painter until 1702. His masterpieces from this period grace the walls of private collections, churches and palaces across Iberia.
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Saint Sebastian Cured by Saint Irene (New York Scugnizzo)
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After his patron died Giordano returned triumphantly to his beloved Naples and helped support local struggling artists. He was highly prolific and influential. The Neapolitan giant is best remembered for his prodigious skill and quick painting technique, which earned him the nickname, Luca fà-presto or Luca work quickly.
Luca Giordano died in Naples in 1705.
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St. Benedict and the Miraculous Sacks of Grain (Courtesy of A Taste For Angels, Yale University Art Gallery, 1987)
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Unfortunately, on February 15, 1944 some of his majestic work was lost during WWII when the Allies destroyed the ancient Benedictine monastery of Montecassino. Sadly, they mistakenly thought the abbey was an Axis stronghold when in fact it was a refuge for local women and children fleeing les Goums Marocains, the atrocity prone French Auxiliary soldiers from Algeria and Morocco who raped over 7,000 women, children and men during the invasion of Italy.
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King Tiridates Before Saint Gregory the Armenian (New York Scugnizzo)
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The Met is home to his Annunciation, a beautiful painting depicting the revelation of Mary by the Angel Gabriel. This painting is a clear example of the artist's vibrant style and ability and, in my humble opinion, it dominates the gallery with its beauty and excellence. This is no small achievement considering it shares the room with works by renowned Southern Italian artists like Massimo Stanzione, Mattia Preti and Salvator Rosa, among others.
For a little taste of Southern Italian high culture, I highly recommend a visit to this prestigious museum.
