Description: Domenico Fiasella, called il Sarzano, Sarzana 1589 - 1669 Genoa. 

Carità. Oil on canvas, 155 cm x 130 cm. 
 
Domenico Fiasella, the son of a Genovese goldsmith Giovanni, first studied with Aurelio Lomi and Giovanni Battista Paggi in Genoa. He spent 10 years in Rome (probably 1615-1625), visiting the studios of many painters while excelling in his studies of portraying the elderly, said to be influenced by Raphael. Andrea del Sarto, however, was Domenico’s first influence (the painting in Church of St. Domenico, in Berlin, missing). 
 
At the age of 28, Sarzano returned to Genoa. After the death of G. B. Paggi (1627), Fiasella became headmaster of his Alma Mater, which was until then run by Paggi. He spent the rest of his life in Genoa. 

Fiasella painted commissioned works for churches and palaces in Genoa and vicinity, also in Mantua, Piacenza, Massa, Naples, Messina, and even in Spain (Hero and Leander for the castle Buen Retiro near Madrid). His works for the Church of Santa Maria della Scala (signed Sarzano), gained the high recognition of Guido Reni (1575-1642). At this time Fiasella had also been commissioned to paint the Escape to Egypt by Pope Paul V. Fiasella’s temperament and constant search for innovation made his style completely inconsistent and sometimes difficult to recognize. His works are influenced by paintings of  Raphael, Rubens, Van Dyck, and even by the manner of Guercino. 

The date of Carità is unknown, neither is the patron of this rather large painting. The composition of the group bears close resemblance to Raphael’s Madonna of the Cloth (Pitti inv. 1912 no. 94), painted in 1514. Another possible source of Fiasella’s inspiration could be Madonna and Child with St. Francis and John the Baptist by Andrea Del Sarto, painted 1515-1517 (Uffizi inv. 1890 no. 2147). The most direct influence, however, is owed to his old master, Giovanni Battista Paggi. Indeed, the Carità almost seems to be a tribute to Paggi’s Madonna with Child (Cenacolo di San Salvi inv. 1890 no. 3209). That would approximate the date of the Carità perhaps to the years of 1617-1627. 

This painting has been authenticated  by Interart and confirmed by Christie's. 

Provenance: Purchased in 1976 from Dr. Gabriele Allievi of Genoa, Italy, formerly the property of the Costa family, also of Genoa. 

Dimensions: 62" x 52" (155 x 130 cm). 

Condition: Excellent. Lined & cleaned. No frame. 

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