Sixteenth-century Florentine School
Cristofano di Papi dell'Altissimo (Florence 1525 – Florence 1605) workshop
Portrait of Dante Alighieri (Florence 1265 - Ravenna 1321)
Oil on panel, 58 x 45 cm.
Framed 84 x 70 cm.
We present this valuable painting, one of the rare portraits of Dante Alighieri (Florence 1265 – Ravenna 1321) of excellent executive quality, to be included in the series of posthumous portraits that the major authors of the Renaissance dedicated to the Supreme Poet, attesting to his acclaimed and immortal fame.
Among the very first representations of Dante, we can mention Giotto's fresco of Paradise from 1332-1337 (Cappella del Podestà Palazzo Bargello, Florence), the portrait of Dante with the Divine Comedy in Domenico di Michelino's fresco from 1465 (Santa Maria del Fiore, Florence), and again Sandro Botticelli's portrait of the poet in profile from around 1495 (Private Collection), today one of the most well-known and widespread depictions of the poet.
Returning to our work, we can fully include it in the traditional iconography of his profile, which has contributed to his recognisability to this day: the poet is immortalised with the characteristic red cloak and cap, usually worn by Florentine diplomats, the long and angular face with the hooked nose and the laurel wreath, the so-called "crown of poets".
From a stylistic point of view, in particular, we are inclined to attribute its creation to an author active in Florence around 1550, trained or active in the prolific workshop of Cristofano di Papi dell'Altissimo (1530-1605), a pupil of Bronzino and then of Pontormo, from whom he inherited a passion for portraiture, as well as the stylistic arrangement.
The painter worked for the Medici Family, and in particular created a collection of about 500 portraits of illustrious men for Cosimo I, known as the 'Serie gioviana' (Uffizi Gallery, today in the upper part of the Levante Corridor) which, among others, also included that of our poet.
His fame as a portrait painter then grew to such an extent that the workshop produced frequent versions of the same subject, with countless variations.
In our beautiful work, for example, Dante is depicted in half-bust, with his face and gaze turned to the left, a serious but intense expression, and the features of his face that evoke at first glance the portraiture of early Florentine Mannerism.
We know several replicas/copies, by size and composition, among the comparable versions of the early sixteenth century there are:
- Musée Condé, Chantilly, The portrait of Dante, Florentine school '500, attributed to Bachiacca
- Uffizi Gallery, Florence, The portrait of Dante, Florentine School '500, previously attributed to Perugino: http://catalogo.fondazionezeri.unibo.it/foto/120000/85200/84831_gw.jpg
- Musei Civici di Como, Palazzo Volpi, Il ritratto di Dante, Florentine School '500: https://catalogo.beniculturali.it/detail/Lombardia/HistoricOrArtisticProperty/1m050-00002_R03
- Van Diemen-Lilienfeld Galleries, New York: http://catalogo.fondazionezeri.unibo.it/scheda/opera/38213/Anonimo%20fiorentino%20sec.%20XVI%2C%20Ri...
- Yale University Art Gallery New Haven (Connecticut, United States of America): https://artgallery.yale.edu/collections/objects/348
Although rather rare, we can find some similar works in international auctions:
- Dorotheum, Vienna (April 24, 2018, lot 14): https://www.dorotheum.com/en/l/5137391/
- Dorotheum, Vienna (April 20, 2019, lot 317): https://www.dorotheum.com/de/l/6154239/
- Sothebys, New York (January 30, 2019): https://www.sothebys.com/en/auctions/ecatalogue/2019/master-paintings-evening-n10007/lot.1.html
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:
The sold work is completed by a pleasant wooden frame and is accompanied by a certificate of authenticity and guarantee.
We take care of and organize the transport of the purchased works, both for Italy and abroad, through professional and insured carriers.
It is also possible to see the painting in the gallery of Riva del Garda, we will be happy to welcome you to show you our collection of works.
Contact us, without obligation, for any additional information.
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