Artist: After Domenico Zampieri (Domenichino)
Date: 18th Century
Medium: Oil on Canvas
Dimensions: 24.8 x 18.5 in
Condition Report: Slight crack, overall in good condition consistent with the item's age

This 18th-century oil on canvas is a carefully crafted replica of Domenico Zampieri's (also known as Domenichino) renowned masterpiece, The Last Communion of Saint Jerome, originally created between 1611 and 1614 and preserved in the Vatican Museums. The painting captures the poignant moment when Saint Jerome, at the age of 90, receives the Last Holy Communion surrounded by his disciples, shortly before his death. The composition is marked by its emotional depth and the delicate interplay of light, which enhances the sanctity of the scene. Despite a slight crack, the painting remains in good condition, a testament to the enduring quality of this homage to Domenichino’s work.

About the Artist:

Domenico Zampieri, better known as Domenichino, was born in Bologna on October 21, 1581. Trained initially at the Accademia degli Incamminati under the guidance of the Carracci family, Domenichino moved to Rome in 1602, where he immersed himself in mastering the Roman style of Annibale Carracci. By 1612, Domenichino had begun receiving major commissions, including the frescoes of Saint Cecilia’s life and his iconic Last Communion of Saint Jerome for San Girolamo della Carità. This painting was later taken to France under Napoleon's orders, ranking second only to Raphael's Transfiguration.

Domenichino's work exemplifies the practice of imitation, a theme explored in-depth by art historians such as Elizabeth Cropper. His career flourished under the patronage of the papacy, particularly under Gregory XV, who named him Papal Architect. Domenichino spent his later years in Naples, where he continued to work under challenging circumstances until his death on April 6, 1641.