Portrait of a member of the Florentine Della Rena family - Oil on canvas from the late 16th century.

The large oil on canvas painting (115 cm x 90cm) displays precious pictorial qualities that indeed justify the important commission. The depicted figure is, as the inscription on the paper held in his hand states, Bernardo Della Rena. [To the Most Magnificent Lord Nar. (Nardo?) della Rena, my most esteemed. Florence]. The notable Florentine Della Rena family, originating from the city's professional bourgeoisie (Medici and Jurists), includes the better-known Cosimo Della Rena (Florence 1615-1692), a historian and erudite antiquarian, who laid the foundations for ancient Etruscan and early medieval historiography in Tuscany, son of Orazio Della Rena, a renowned politician of the Grand Duchy. This Bernardo Della Rena can be identified as their close relative, who had his portrait painted between the last quarter of the 16th century and the first quarter of the 17th century. From his elegant black damask attire, it can be inferred that he may have held important positions such as a jurist or notary, or he might have had bureaucratic roles within the Grand Duchy of Tuscany, given that he is depicted with an inkwell and a seal with an indistinct but interesting coat of arms for the study of this remarkable portrait. Stylistic analysis suggests the work originated from the Bolognese school, as it is known that the city boasted important workshops of painters specializing in portraiture, such as that of Bartolomeo Passerotti (1529-1592) who was later continued by his son Tiburzio Passerotti (1553-1612), or that of Prospero Fontana (1512-1597), who trained the skilled portrait painter and his daughter, Lavinia Fontana (1552-1612). It is plausible that members of this Tuscan family were attracted to the art of some of these masters to have their portraits painted, given the great success they achieved among the aristocracies of central and northern Italy. The painting in question deserves a more in-depth investigation, both from a documentary perspective, as it could be useful for the genealogical research of this important Tuscan family, and regarding the artist who executed it. It is highly possible that the hand behind this painting should be identified with that of Gabriele Ferrantini, known as Gabriele degli Occhiali (active in Bologna at the turn of the 16th and 17th centuries). His devotional production is well documented, and he appears to have been a notable portraitist in Bolognese noble circles. This type of production by this artist, however, remains more obscure and requires further identification. The painting is equipped with a splendid and antique gilded Salvador Rosa frame with external dimensions of 128 x 108 cm. The canvas dimensions are: 115 cm x 90cm. We attach a certificate of authenticity issued by our gallery, guaranteeing its period and authenticity. Visit the website www.antichitabompadre.com to access the content of our collection.