Adoration of the Magi

The numerous painters of the Gennari family are inseparable from the style and even the life of Guercino. They shared birthplace, the small town of Cento, in some cases intermarried with the great painter’s family, and in all closely followed his mature style. After the death of Guido Reni in 1642, Guercino moved his entire workshop to Bologna, inflected his manner further toward the ideality that Reni had cultivated, and took over much of that artist’s highly successful activity. The Gennari were instrumental in this transition and the perpetuation of Guercino’s style toward the 18th century. Brought with the family to Bologna in 1643, Cesare Gennari became the very last and most distinctive interpreter of Guercino. Around 1668 Cesare Gennari executed an ensemble of three paintings for the Charterhouse at Villeneuve-les-Avignon: an Annunciation, an Adoration of the Shepherds, and an Adoration of the Magi. These are generally considered to be his finest achievement. The present picture depends upon the compositon of the latter, and its style, with its fluid rhythms and saturated color, closely relates to that of the group. One of a few examples of the Gennari’s work in this country, it is especially interesting in relation to the Museum’s three paintings by Guercino himself.