Sebastiano Conca Gaeta 1680 - 1764 Naples

The present canvas is a bozzetto for (or possibly a finished ricordo of) an important altarpiece by Conca in San Paolo dei Barnabiti, Macerata (see Sebastiano Conca, Gaeta 1981, exhibition catalogue, pp. 280-281, cat. no. 98, illus.).  The altarpiece is signed and dated 1742, and there is another bozzetto for the painting, much more loosely painted, on the Italian art market. 

The composition dates from the period of Conca's greatest activity and fame; the decade of the 1730's and the early 40's were very busy for the artist, with commissions for altarpieces from all over Italy and Sicily.  The Macerata altarpiece was ordered for the the right transept of the Barnabite church of San Paolo, and depicts saints of that order.  On the left is the founder of the congregation, Saint Antonio Maria Zaccaria, being presented by Clement VII (who approved the order in 1533).  On the lower right is Saint Alessandro Sauli, Bishop of Pavia.