JOSÉ ANTOLÍNEZ Lot n° 40

JOSÉ ANTOLÍNEZ Madrid 1635 - 1675 Jesus tempted by the devil. 1675 Oil on canvas Signed and dated Measurements 103 x 82.9 cm Origin: - Private collection, Madrid. This unpublished representation of Jesus tempted in the desert, signed and dated 1675, represents an important contribution to the knowledge of the work of this Madrid artist of the full Baroque period. His training began under the mastery of the painter Julián González de Benavides, but he soon moved to the workshop of Francisco Rizi where he met two other great artists of the time: Juan Antonio Frías y Escalante and Claudio Coello. His biographer Antonio Palomino wrote that Antolínez "became one of the first of his time, as proven by his repeated public and private works, which can be seen in this Court, in which great taste and atician ink are particularly discovered." . This painting dates from the year of the painter's tragic death, which according to Palomino was due to a "black sword confrontation" that he had with his enemies due to his conflictive and haughty character. This work reveals his admiration for the Venetian masters and the atician inks that Palomino spoke of, as evidenced by the beautiful bluish sky in the background and the pink of the tunic. The elegant and luminous figure of Christ who looks at the viewer stands out against the sinister figure of the devil, here dressed as a friar. The composition of unique iconography bears a disturbing resemblance to Christ Served by Angels by Claudio Coello, signed and dated 1661 recently acquired by the State for the National Museum of the Prado. The painting allows you to appreciate its loose and light brushstrokes, and the characteristic vibrant color applied with a mystical vision.