Saint Gaetano and the apparition of the Virgin

Saint Gaetano and the apparition of the Virgin Michelangelo Buonocore (attivo nella prima metà del 1700)

Oil on canvas, 91.7 in.Height, 71.7 in Width

A wonderful painting of St. Gaetano from Thiene signed “M Ang Buonocore” and dated 1733 with a precious coeval carved and giltwood frame. The saint, who was one of the most significant Church’s reformers in 16th century, is represented with the cassock. He is kneeling while the Blessed Virgin puts the Child in his arms. the Infant Jesus holds the Holy Writ opened on Matth. 33.3. 1. Verses. The scene was inspired by a real life event. Gaetano wrote a letter to his spiritual confidant, Sister Laura Mignani, telling her that while he was praying in the Nativity chapel in the Church of Santa Maria Maggiore in Rome, the Virgin appeared to him and puts Jesus in his outstretched arms. This vision, which occurred on Christmas Eve of 1517, spurred Gaetano to carrie on his mission stronger than ever, that he is knew as the Holy Providence’s Saint.

Biography of Michelangelo Buonocore

This famous Neapolitan painter was active in the first half of the 18th century. He was a pupil of Paolo de Matteis and Joseph Mastroleo. He painted the “Madonna and Santa Rosa” in the church of Gesù Nuovo in Naples. Unfortunately this painting got lost. A signed and dated Immaculate is exposed at the Museum called “ Opera Pia del Purgatorio ad Arco ” in Naple. Michelangelo Buonocore was very active in Rome, Naples and all over the middle Italy. Around 1730 he worked for some churches in Aquila (a city in middle Italy). In the National Museum of Abruzzo is exposed “The Virgin appearing to St. Dominic,” an oil on canvas painted for the church of St. Dominic in Aquila, the paiting is signed and dated 1733.

Bibliography
Bolaffi Encyclopedic Dictionary of Italian painters and engravers, Torino 1972, p. 216.U. THIEME – F. BECKER, Künstler-Lexikon, vol.IV, 1910.A. Griseri, Jaquerio realism and gothic in Piedmont, Turin 1963.