Portrait of a gentleman - SOLD

This splendid portrait falls within the "typical Vandyckian models" that were in great demand in Genoa in the first half of the 17th century; a dark background and a loggia column frame the half-length figure of a gentleman. From a black fabric jacket, fastened by a row of buttons and secured by a belt with a precious buckle, emerges a large collar and two cuffs in white linen finished with a finely embroidered lace ribbon. The face of a young man, placed at three-quarters, observes us. The identity of the effigy is not known to us and in the absence of inscriptions it is rather difficult to trace its identity. Work by the Genoese master Gio. Bernardo Carbone (1616-1683) a painter famous in aristocratic circles for his activity as a portraitist "... and being extremely pleased with Vandik's singular manner, he gave himself to imitating it; and if he did not fully reach him, at least he came very close to him. Because many portraits by Carbone have been sold at various times, especially to understanding Englishmen, who first examined them with fine attention, so as not to mistake the Author, judged by them to be Vandik: and then discovering that they were not his, they still did not complain of the deception, but on the contrary they have always held them dear; because paintings are always dear when they are good." [Soprani-Ratti, Vite de' pittori, scultori ed architetti genovesi, parte II, Genova 1768 II, p 19]. Looking at the high quality of the painting, we can now understand Carbone's working success as a portraitist. Dimensions: canvas 112 x 87 cm