Francesco Guardi (1712–1793)

Oil on canvas. Expert analysis: Dr. Dario Succi, Gorizia. Francesco Lazzaro Guardi was a Venetian painter and a member of the Venetian School, which specialised mainly in vedutas, portraits of nobles, and paintings of the lagoons. Early in his career, however, he collaborated with his brother on religious subjects. At first, he was influenced by the Italian artist Canaletto, but over time he acquired a more relaxed style characterised by decisive and expressive brush strokes. This vibrant religious painting presents the Holy Family with the Madonna depicted during her Ascension to Heaven. Next to her are Jesus and St. Joseph, above whom hovers a dove, representing the Holy Spirit. In the lower right, we can see the ecstatic figure of St Dominic leaning against a terrestrial globe. He is presented here in the typical Dominican garment: a white tunic and scapular and long black hooded robe. Behind him sits a black and white dog with a flaming torch in his mouth, a reference to the dream of the saint's mother Juanna of Aza. The second saint, depicted in prayer, is the aforementioned Francis of Assisi. He is dressed in his characteristic brown robe. The saints symbolise the two kinds of monasticism, active and contemplative.