Catello Ruoppolo - Study for the Holy Face

The iconographic subject of Christ's face has ancient origins and is connected to the legend of Veronica. The episode in which Christ's true likeness was imprinted on a cloth used by a woman to wipe his face is also recounted in the Gospels. This woman was identified as Veronica, likely due to the similarity with the Latin words "Vera Icon." Since the early Christian era, the face of Christ has been the object of particular veneration. Its depiction has pervaded the entire history of Western art. From the first iconic representations of the early Christian and early Middle Ages, we gradually moved on to increasingly naturalistic (starting in the Renaissance) or realistic (typical of Flemish art) depictions.

Catello Ruoppo displays remarkable painting technique, allowing him to render his subject perfectly and naturally. The subject appears in a nearly perfect frontal view, her face turned downward in an expression full of pathos. The physiognomy is characterized by great precision and rich detail, and consequently, a powerful emotional impact. In addition to this meticulous attention to detail, the painter is also distinguished by a loose brushstroke that creates a delicate softness in the modeling, a work imbued with freshness and immediacy. The subject's forms blend seamlessly with the space, leaving the area to our right, untouched by the incident light, in shadow.

Catello Ruoppolo is a painter born in Castellammare di Stabia in 1916. He is a painter who stands out for his remarkable technique which allows him to reach high peaks of naturalistic rendering.

The transaction takes place with maximum security for both the seller and the buyer. We take care of the conformity (provenance, authenticity, state of conservation) of the work and handle the shipping.
Returns are possible no later than 14 days after receiving the order.