Giuseppe Ghezzi

Giuseppe Ghezzi, father of Pier Leone Ghezzi, was born in the Marche where he received his early training. Upon moving to Rome in the late 1660s his painting style reflected a rapid assimilation of the trends in contemporary Roman painting, most notably the styles of Pietro da Cortona and Battista Gaulli, il Baciccio. He enjoyed the patronage of Pope Clement XI and worked for Queen Christina of Sweden. In 1674 he became a member of the Accademia di San Luca, serving as Secretary from 1678-1719, and he received numerous commissions for frescoes and altarpieces in a variety of Roman churches, many of which are still in situ, such as the frescoes for the Chapel of Santo Spirito in San Silvestro in Capite and the two altarpieces of The Creation of Adam and The Resurrection of the Dead in the Chiesa Nuova at S. Maria in Vallicella.

This picture probably dates from the 1690s and in its rich colouring, extravagant drapery and pronounced chiaroscuro is a fine example of his mature style. A preparatory drawing exists for the figure of Ishmael, which was offered at Sotheby's, Monaco, 29 November 1986, lot 1 (as Giovanni Battista Beinaschi).