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The painting illustrates a famous episode from the life of St. Thomas told in the Gospel of John. The apostles had told Thomas that Jesus had risen but the disciple had declared that he would believe their words only when he had the opportunity to see Christ with his own eyes, touch the nail holes with his finger and put his hand in the side wound. A few days later Jesus appeared again, this time in front of all the disciples, and invited Thomas to verify for himself: this is exactly the moment fixed in the scene by the artist. There are two points of the picture on which the viewer's attention is most concentrated: the face of Christ and that of St. Thomas. Christ appears with his head surrounded by a ring of supernatural light. It is divine, but it offers its wound with patient condescension for verification by the disciple. Thomas's expression is particularly emphasized and almost caricatured in boundless disbelief, as he approaches Christ's wound with circumspectness and wide-eyed.
Splendid and evocative painting, of which we observe a very refined execution technique and in which the author demonstrates great talent. The stylistic and compositional features suggest the attribution to an author probably active in Emilia around the middle of the 17th century.
In fairly good overall condition considering the age of the painting, which appears to have a patina. There are some scattered restoration points, spread mainly in the upper part of the background and some light hazes and cracks on the pictorial surface. There are no conservation problems. The original canvas has an old relining that does not seem to need any intervention. A fine craquelè is visible in relation to the time. The frame would appear to have been replaced during the last century.
Framed in a beautiful posthumous period frame, which has slight defects.
Canvas measures: 80 x 105 cm. Frame measures: 100 x 125 cm.
Work accompanied by a certificate of photographic authenticity, as per current legislation.
Shipping via insured express courier and packaging carried out with the utmost care. 67491351
