Next to the altar dedicated to Zaccaria/Athanasius is a lovely 'Adoration of the Shepherds' by Antonio Balestra.
Antonio Balestra b. 1666 - d. 1740 The son of a wealthy merchant, he was a painter and printmaker. He went to Venice in 1687 and studied with Antonio Bellucci. He trained later in Rome. In 1697 he was back in Venice where he made an altarpiece of 'The Annunciation' which was sent to St. Teresa degli Scalzi in Verona. He painted many works for private patrons both in Italy and abroad particularly in Germany. In his late career he made two frescoes for the Villa Pompei-Carlotti at Illasi near Verona. Many images of his paintings were engraved as prints.
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