ANONIMO, San Paolo e il corvo.

A painting with ample spatiality, despite its compact dimensions, developed horizontally where the religious element is not the sole protagonist; nature depicted in the foreground, with a play of very sharp lights and shadows, stands out for the precision and realism with which it has been represented. The scene depicts an episode from the life of Saint Paul of Thebes, considered the first hermit in the history of religion. To escape persecution against Christians, Paul of Thebes found refuge in a cave near a water source and a palm tree. From the palm tree, he made mats from its leaves, as well as his clothing, and sustained himself with its dates until the age of about 43 when a crow began bringing him half a loaf of bread every day. The painting can be considered part of the Emilian school from the first half of the 18th century.

Period: Emilian School, early 18th century
Origin: Private collection in Naples
Technique: Oil on canvas
Dimensions: Without frame: 66.5x49 cm
Condition: The painting has some color losses in the upper right and lower right.