Offered by Antichità Castelbarco
Lombard School, 17th century
Portrait of a Young Boy
oil on canvas
109 x 78 cm - 127 x 97 cm with frame
The protagonist of the offered canvas is a chubby little boy, aged approximately five years, a young member of an aristocratic family of the 17th century: he wears sumptuous but sober clothes, consisting of a wide short bell-shaped cape with gold trim and buttons, which covers his dress in shades of red.
An analysis of the details of the beautiful portrait, and in particular the stylistic type with which its features are outlined, leads us back to the great tradition of the 17th century Lombard school, although there are also influences, in the details of the dress, of Spanish fashion. This is more than plausible given that in that historical period Spain dominated Europe not only in the political sphere but also in fashion and costume (and especially in Lombardy, under Spanish rule).
The golden detail of the buttons and the red of the dress, a colour echoed in the stockings and the bow that closes the shoes, stand out against the almost monochrome of the essential setting within which he is portrayed.
Interesting is the apple held in the hand, which traditionally - a reference to the apple of Venus - was included in the portraits as a symbol of good omen, alluding to a future marriage; in wealthy families it was in fact customary to organise unions between the descendants of families from an early age in order to mutually reinforce their power.
Perhaps the painting was therefore meant to be a promise of marriage, commissioned as a presentation card for a young man to present to the family of the bride-to-be. In addition to the apple, he holds a hat under his arm, as if already emphasising his future as a member of high society in his own right.
Although he presents those traits of rigour and austerity typical of portraiture of this period, they are mitigated by the candid expression on his face, which scrutinises the observer with a typically childlike gentleness.
Delevery information :
We take care of and organise the transport of the purchased works, both for Italy and abroad, through professional and insured carriers.
We take great care We personally take care of the packaging, to which we devote a great deal of care: each work is carefully packed, first with arti- cle material, then with a custom-made wooden box.
Should you have the desire to see this or other works in person, we would be happy to welcome you to our gallery in Riva del Garda, Viale Giuseppe Canella 18, we are always open by appointment only.
