Mattia Preti (Taverna 1613 - La Valletta 1699), Holy Apostle

Oil on canvas cm. 134x95. Framed The painting is accompanied by an expertise by Prof. Nicola Spinosa.
The painting bears a brush inscription on the scroll at the right margin: “CARNIS RE / SURRECTIO / NEM”.


This intense and powerful figure of a saint is attributed to Mattia Preti by Nicola Spinosa, who dates the work to the artist’s Neapolitan years, between 1653 and 1660, prior to his definitive transfer to Malta. Characterized by strong naturalism and a vibrant treatment of light, the painting depicts an apostle, probably identifiable as Saint Jude Thaddeus, according to an iconography dear to the mature production of the Cavalier Calabrese.
As observed by Spinosa, the work displays close stylistic affinities with other paintings of similar subject executed by Preti during the same years, including the Calling of Saint Matthew in the church of San Pietro a Maiella in Eboli, the Feast in the House of the Pharisee in the Museo di Capodimonte, and the Saint Paul the Hermit in the Cleveland Museum of Art. The vigorous chiaroscuro structure, the expressive intensity of the face, and the rich pictorial handling further confirm the autograph quality of the work.