JACOPO GUARANA
Verona, 1720 – Venice, 1808
Triumph of Urania
oil on canvas, cm 89,5 diameter
date: mid 17th century
This fascinating canvas, circular in shape and of considerable dimensions, depicts the Triumph of Urania, one of the rarest and most decorative subjects characterising especially the Rococo and later part of the 18th century.
The unquestionably refined painting style is supported by the lightness and smoothness of the brushstrokes, typical of a master fresco painter from Venice in the middle of the century.
Identifiable through detailed comparisons with some of his works, especially those from his youth, the painting can be attributed to the hand of Jacopo Guarana, one of the great Tiepolo’s most talented pupils. Guarana made a name for himself not only as an excellent fresco painter, but also for his production of easel paintings commissioned by private patrons.
It is possible that our canvas was commissioned for a castle or grand palazzo, with astronomy as a common theme.
The work can be dated to shortly after the middle of the 18th century, during the still youthful phase of Guarana’s career. Although he was already fully mature as a painter, he joined the Academy of Painting in Venice at that time.