1750 (ca.), André Gonçalves, The Annunciation -- Museu Nacional de Arte Antiga (Lisbon)
From the museum label: André Gonçalves learned all about Roman classicism from his master, the Genoese artist Temine, and from his friend Vieira Lusitano. In his vast production of works, he repeated engraved compositions, which led to his artistic qualities being somewhat derided, although they are, in fact, quite considerable. His precise classical drawing and the use of bright and open colours were factors leading to the modernisation of Portuguese painting. This Annunciation, originating from the Monastery of São Vicente de Fora, resulted from a commission placed with him by Friar Gaspar da Encarnação (1685-1752), a leading figure in both the Church and the political arena in the reign of Dom João V. It was destined for a chapel in the cloister that he had created at the monastery. In a posthumous portrait now kept at the Biblioteca Nacional de Portugal, Friar Gaspar is depicted holding a model of this painting by André Gonçalves.
1750 (ca.), André Gonçalves, The Annunciation -- Museu Nacional de Arte Antiga (Lisbon)
From the museum label: André Gonçalves learned all about Roman classicism from his master, the Genoese artist Temine, and from his friend Vieira Lusitano. In his vast production of works, he repeated engraved compositions, which led to his artistic qualities being somewhat derided, although they are, in fact, quite considerable. His precise classical drawing and the use of bright and open colours were factors leading to the modernisation of Portuguese painting. This Annunciation, originating from the Monastery of São Vicente de Fora, resulted from a commission placed with him by Friar Gaspar da Encarnação (1685-1752), a leading figure in both the Church and the political arena in the reign of Dom João V. It was destined for a chapel in the cloister that he had created at the monastery. In a posthumous portrait now kept at the Biblioteca Nacional de Portugal, Friar Gaspar is depicted holding a model of this painting by André Gonçalves.