Sketch for a Ceiling Fresco, Giovanni Domenico Ferretti (1735-1745)
This preparatory oil sketch by Giovanni Domenico Ferretti captures the essence of Rococo grandeur. The composition is filled with dynamic movement and vibrant colors, creating a sense of celestial harmony typical of the artist’s large-scale frescoes. Soft golden light and pastel tones enhance the illusion of weightlessness, making the figures appear to float effortlessly.
Ferretti’s fluid brushwork and expressive forms reflect the influence of Venetian painters like Sebastiano Ricci, yet his style retains a distinct Florentine elegance and theatricality. The figures, often depicted in dramatic poses with flowing drapery, convey a sense of graceful motion and spiritual intensity, elements that define his ceiling decorations in churches and palaces across Tuscany.
Giovanni Domenico Ferretti (1692–1768) was a leading Italian Rococo painter, known for his ornate frescoes, mythological themes, and religious compositions. His works are characterized by lightness, energy, and decorative brilliance, making him a key figure in the Tuscan Rococo movement. This sketch exemplifies his ability to translate grand narratives into elegant, fluid compositions, preparing for the larger masterpieces that adorned Italy’s most prestigious interiors.
Cotton and polyester canvas on Radiata pine wood frame sourced from renewable forests. Includes back mounting.
