Nicolò Barabino: sacred art and olive-oil tradition
The Madonna of the Olive Tree, the subject of the famous painting by Nicolò Barabino titled "Quasi oliva speciosa in campis," seems to bless all visitors of our Oil Museum. This reproduction belonged to the notary Francesco Locci in the early 1900s and uses the oleographic technique, a lithographic printing method dating back to the 19th century.
In 1887, Barabino presented the original work at the National Exhibition in Venice, with the Latin verse taken from the Bible meaning "Like a majestic olive tree in the plains." Initially, the artist wanted to donate the painting to the Cella Church, as his mother wished, but the exhibition in Venice caught the attention of Queen Margherita, who decided to buy it and take it to Rome.
Unfortunately, the original work has been lost, but Barabino created a second version which he donated to the church of Sampierdarena. To this day, this beloved and revered image can be found in the church of Sampierdarena.
The oleographic technique recreates the appearance and texture of oil paintings, giving the impression of a hand-painted work. The process begins with a lithograph, a print made on stone or a metal plate. Subsequently, several layers of oleographic ink, a mixture of pigments, oils, and resins, are applied. These layers are superimposed on one another, following the direction and style of the original brushstrokes, to faithfully reproduce the original artwork.
Thanks to this technique, our Oil Museum can display a work that celebrates the faith and oil tradition of the Locci Family, allowing visitors to admire and appreciate the artistic talent of Nicolò Barabino.
