Coppia di ritratti su lavagna, una raffigurante... Lot n° 98

Pair of portraits on chalkboard, one depicting the famous mosaicist Marcello Provenzale, Italy 17th century The unknown author of the pair of oil-on-chalkboard paintings demonstrates ease and confidence in the stroke, managing to capture the psychological depth of the gaze of both effigies; the wooden frame is of coeval date. The identification of the mosaicist in the figure portrayed in the red tunic is possible because of the obvious similarity in physiognomy and clothing, detectable between the oval quadretto and the certain and oft-published etching portrait of Provenzale, which the painter and friend Ottavio Leoni had made for him in 1623 (Rome, Gabinetto Nazionale della Grafica, 1623, inv. N. F.C. 53031, vol. 50 K49). Oil on blackboard, dimensions ext. 30x16, int. 17x13.5 cm. each.