Lombardy and Piedmont, 1581 -1662 · Court fresco and elegant allegory

A mother feeds a child while presenting an apple to two others: Bianchi translates Charity into the concrete circulation of care and sharing.

Isidoro Bianchi was born in 1581 in Campione d'Italia, on Lake Lugano, and died there in 1662. Painter, fresco artist, stucco artist and sometimes engineer, he led a career between Lombardy and the court of Savoy. His first major documented enterprise was the decoration of the gallery of the Royal Palace of Turin between 1617 and 1620. He then collaborated with Morazzone in Como and at Rivoli Castle; after the latter's death, Bianchi took an increasing part in the castle's decorative program. Appointed ducal painter in 1632, he also worked at Valentino Castle and received the title of knight. After the latter's death, Bianchi took an increasing part in the castle's decorative program. Appointed ducal painter in 1632, he also worked at Valentino Castle and received the title of knight. His style retained the Lombard vigor of Gaudenzio Ferrari and Morazzone, but softened it with elegance more artificial. Charity, painted in the first half of the 17th century, shows a woman breastfeeding a child and holding an apple which she presents to two others. The allegory thus becomes an image of simultaneous generosity: feeding, offering and bringing together. The canvas measures 156 × 118 cm and comes from the Spanish royal collections. The canvas measures 156 × 118 cm and comes from the Spanish royal collections. The "Isidoro Bianchi" selection notably compares Charité. His reading favors atmosphere.

Bianchi makes the allegory immediately readable: Charity is not an abstraction, but a body that nourishes and a hand that shares.