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Giulio Cesare Procaccini , Italian, 1574-1625

Title

The Apotheosis of Saint Carlo Borromeo

Datec.1620

MediumOil on canvas

Dimensions

386.5 x 253 cm

Credit LinePurchased, 1856

Object numberNGI.1820

DescriptionSt Charles Borromeo was born into one of the noblest families of Lombardy – yet from the moment he was elected Archbishop of Milan, in 1565, he became an extraordinary example of humility and spirituality for the entire region. As a result of this pious life, he was canonised only 26 years after his death. The painting shows St Charles in his archiepiscopal vestments being carried up to heaven by angels. He is holding his crosier in one hand, and on either side of him two angels carry his cardinal’s hat and religious device, the crowned word Humilitas. Below him, the archangel Michael, dressed in armour, combines his two principal roles: he holds down the Devil with his feet and a sword while weighing the souls of two small naked ?gures in a scale.

This enormous altarpiece was clearly intended for a church, although it was ?rst recorded only when Gaspare Mola, a sculptor and medallist, left it to the church of Santa Maria in Traspontina in Rome. Procaccini had been a sculptor as well. He retained a liking for the previous Mannerist period in his bright colours and elegantly posed ?gures.

March 2016

ProvenanceChurch of San Carlo al Corso, Rome, by 1628; Church of Santa Maria In Traspontina, Rome, by 1663; purchased by Carlo Maratti, 1673; Auction, Rome, 1845, Cardinal Fesch Sale, lot 982; Alessandro Aducci, Rome; purchased, Alessandro Aducci, Rome, 1856 Exhibition HistoryLombard Paintings c.1595-c.1630, City Museum and Art Gallery, Birmingham, 1974

Label TextSaint Charles Borromeo (1538-1584) was canonised in 1610, and this altarpiece portrays him literally being elevated to divine status. The action swirls from the bottom of the canvas, where Archangel Michael defeats a sprawling devil, while also weighing the souls of two figures in a scale. Saint Charles, with eyes cast heavenward, is flanked by two angels holding a cardinal’s hat and the word humilitas (humility). Saint Charles, a modest man, was especially admired for his charitable work while Archbishop of Milan. Procaccini initially trained as a sculptor but focused on painting from 1600.