18th-century Italian panel painting, the Crossing of the Jordan

COD 01139. An important Italian painting from the second half of the 18th century. This painting oil on panel depicts the famous biblical episode of the crossing of the Jordan with the Ark of the Covenant. The people of Israel, led by Joshua into the promised land, cross the river while, by divine intervention, the waters stop and then open to allow the Ark of the Covenant to pass through. The landscape is grandiose, with monumental rock masses and a golden sky that amplifies the solemnity of the event. The scene is theatrical, animated by soldiers, horsemen, and priestly figures who lend dynamism to the composition. From a chromatic perspective, the panel is distinguished by a rich and balanced palette, in which warm and cool tones interact with great refinement. The gold background amplifies the solemnity of the scene and creates an enveloping, diffuse light that unifies the entire composition. This artwork can be attributed to the great Italian painter Crescenzo Gamba (1749-1783). A pupil of Francesco Solimena, he was particularly active as a fresco painter for royal commissions, such as the Royal Palace of Caserta, and religious commissions, such as the Certosa di San Martino. Gamba was a great decorator in central Italy and executed numerous high-quality frescoes in an elegant rocaille style. (The painting is not currently accompanied by an expert opinion, but one can be requested upon payment of the relevant additional costs.) A perfect painting for staterooms or prestigious professional studios. The gold background, in particular, pairs beautifully with light-colored walls and dark wood paneling, and is further enhanced by warm, low-lighting. The panel shows some minor paint drops and signs of aging, but is overall in good condition.