Description
Laurent Dufour Circle
Portrait of Vittorio Amedeo II of Savoy as a child
Oil on canvas
95x130 cm
The painting depicts the very young Duke Vittorio Amedeo II of Savoy wearing a parade cuirass, a commander's baton, and the Collar of the Annunciation around his neck. In the background, rich red silk draperies. The painting, intended to be a ceremonial decoration for a public place or a noble residence, is clearly iconographically derived from Pierre Mignard's painting depicting the Duke as a child, which is housed in Palazzo Madama in Turin. Mignard's work served as a prototype and source of inspiration for numerous paintings. The work under study here is attributable to the circle of Laurent Dufour, who belonged to a true dynasty of painters spanning three generations, and who significantly contributed to the beautification and reconstruction of churches in Savoy. The patriarch, Pierre Dufour, son of Denis Dufour, was born in Saint-Michel de Maurienne at the beginning of the 17th century and became a citizen of Annecy in 1627. He left the city in 1630 to escape the plague and settled in Saint-Michel. By his first marriage, he had four sons, three of whom are known to have inherited their father's talent: Pierre le jeune, Laurent, and Gabriel, who trained in their father's workshop in Saint-Michel de Maurienne. All left the valley to settle at the Duke's court in Turin, where they held various court positions, including that of portraitist.
From the critical essay by Dr. Arabella Cifani
The painting is accompanied by:
Expertise by Dr. Arabella Cifani
Dimensions
95x130 cm
Provenance
Private collection
Condition
Recently restored
