The large oil on canvas painting (115 cm x 90 cm) shows valuable pictorial qualities that justify the important commission. The depicted person is, as stated in the writing on the sheet held in his hand, Bernardo Della Rena. [To the Very Magnificent Sig. Nar. (Nardo?) della Rena my most esteemed. Florence].
The well-known Florentine Della Rena family, originating from the city's professional bourgeoisie (doctors and jurists), includes the more well-known Cosimo Della Rena (Florence 1615-1692), a historian and erudite antiquarian, who laid the foundations of ancient Etruscan and early medieval historiography in Tuscany, son of Orazio Della Rena, a well-known Grand Ducal politician.
This Bernardo Della Rena can be identified as a close relative of theirs, who had himself portrayed between the last quarter of the 16th century and the first quarter of the 17th century. From his elegant black damask dress, it can be deduced that he may have held important positions such as jurist or notary, or he may have held bureaucratic positions within the Grand Duchy of Tuscany, given that he is portrayed with an inkwell and a stamp with a barely discernible coat of arms, but interesting for the purpose of studying this remarkable portrait.
The area of production, upon careful stylistic analysis, would seem to be the Bolognese one. It is known that the city had important workshops of painters specialized in portraiture, such as that of Bartolomeo Passerotti (1529-1592) which then continued with his son Tiburzio Passerotti (1553-1612) or that of Prospero Fontana (1512-1597) who trained the skilled portrait painter, his daughter, Lavinia Fontana (1552-1612). It is arguable that the members of this Tuscan family were attracted by the art of some of these masters to be portrayed, given the great success they had among the members of the aristocracies of central-northern Italy.
The painting in question deserves a more in-depth research both from the documentary point of view, given that it could be useful to the genealogical research of this important Tuscan family, and as regards the artist who executed it.
The painting is provided with a splendid and antique gilded 'Salvador Rosa' frame with external measurements of 128 x 108cm.
The measures of the canvas are: 115 cm x 90cm.
We enclose with the sale a certificate of authenticity issued by our gallery which guarantees its age and authenticity.
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