Luca Giordano, called Fa Presto

Laid down on canvas and on wooden modern stretcher. The work appears fresh and in good condition, Sold in a black and gold 17th Century Italian frame.
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A very quick and vibrant sketch, this oil on paper is characteristic of Giordano's style, though it does not seem to relate to any other known work by the artist.  Nicola Spinosa has kindly suggested that it can be compared to some of Giordano’s works datable to the artist’s first sojourn in Florence (1682-1683), which are similarly characterised by dense and wide brush strokes and a generally dark palette.  Examples of such works include Job on the dung heap (Madrid, Monastry of the Escorial), The dying Seneca (Paris, Musée du Louvre) and The Virgin appearing to St. Bernard (Florence, Church of the SS. Annunciata).¹

Here, the light falls dramatically in the foreground and the vigorous brush strokes define the plasticity of the figures in a very baroque ensemble.  It is a very skilful and energetic bozzetto which demonstrates to the full Giordano's ability and versatility as a painter.

¹ O. Ferrari and G. Scavizzi, Luca Giordano, L'opera completa, Naples 1992, respectively vol. I, p. 310, no. A 356, reproduced vol. II, fig. 465; vol. I, p. 311, no. 358, reproduced vol. II, fig. 468; vol. I, p. 305, no. A 324, not reproduced