PERE CUQUET (c. 1595 - Barcelona, ​​1663) “The inspiration

Oil on canvas. The technical and formal characteristics of this painting allow it to be attributed to Pere Cuquet. This painter was one of the most important figures in Catalan Baroque painting, developing his production during the first two thirds of the 17th century. Despite this, very little is known about his pictorial production, although his figure was praised by sources and even by poets and playwrights such as Fontanella. Among his scarce preserved production we can cite the paintings of the altarpiece of the church of San Feliu de Codines, the six of the convent of the Virgen del Carmen in Manresa, the three canvases in the Museum Archive of Santa Maria de Mataro, or the Saint Jerome of the church of Fuentes de Ebro in Zaragoza. The canvas presented here shares with these its characteristic style, showing figures that are situated in the foreground with strong contrasts of light and powerful volumes that always emerge from neutral environments, resolved through the use of an austere and balanced chromatic palette. The physiognomic features of the angel find their parallel in the child models that appear in the Adoration of the Shepherds of Manresa, as well as the particular soft way of folding the fabric of the garments. The same can be said of the severe face of Saint Matthew, comparable to that of Saint Joseph in the aforementioned canvas or to some male models that appear in the Last Supper of Mataro. Measurements: 107 x 83 cm.