Lot Essay
As was pointed out by Dr. Jörg Merz, the present drawing is for the central compartment of the ceiling of the sacristy of Santo Spirito in Sassia in Rome, commissioned in 1647 by Stefano Vai, the commendatore of the order of Santo Spirito in Sassia. The putti are adoring the most important treasure of the hospital, the double cross of the Order of Santo Spirito, containing a relic of the Holy Cross.
Abbatini's first commissions were executed circa 1630 for the Vatican. He later executed some minor works in the Sala Clementina and in 1637-42 helped Giovanni Francesco Romanelli in the Sala della Contessa Matilda. Later Abbatini was associated with Bernini in San Lorenzo in Damaso, San Agostino and other churches. The sacristy of Santo Spirito in Sassia was Abbatini's first independent commission though it was also, according to Jörg Merz, executed under the direction of Bernini. The ceiling was started in the Spring of 1648, after the stuccatori had finished their work.
Dr. Jörg Merz pointed out that the subject of the drawing and that of the fresco differ slightly, the main difference being in the position of the dove.
Abbatini's first commissions were executed circa 1630 for the Vatican. He later executed some minor works in the Sala Clementina and in 1637-42 helped Giovanni Francesco Romanelli in the Sala della Contessa Matilda. Later Abbatini was associated with Bernini in San Lorenzo in Damaso, San Agostino and other churches. The sacristy of Santo Spirito in Sassia was Abbatini's first independent commission though it was also, according to Jörg Merz, executed under the direction of Bernini. The ceiling was started in the Spring of 1648, after the stuccatori had finished their work.
Dr. Jörg Merz pointed out that the subject of the drawing and that of the fresco differ slightly, the main difference being in the position of the dove.