Workshop of Giovanni Bernardo Carbone, Portrait with Armor, 1670, Oil on Canvas, Framed

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Description

Giovanni Bernardo Carbone (Genoa, 1616 - 1683) workshop
Portrait of a gentleman in armour with a battle scene in the … Read more Giovanni Bernardo Carbone (Genoa, 1616 - 1683) workshop
Portrait of a gentleman in armour with a battle scene in the background

Oval oil on canvas (117 x 105 cm. - In a gilded frame 124 x 112 cm.)

This fascinating portrait depicting a knight in a proud attitude and datable around the middle of the 17th century, depicts the gentleman with his armour, immortalised in a night of battle, which can be recognised in the scene depicted below behind him, animated by the roar of cannon shots.

His pose is regal, portrayed standing three-quarters, canonical for all high-ranking officials, in this case a general, recognizable thanks to the elegantly draped and belted band on the arm, turned towards the viewer almost to recreate the sense of movement, which enlivens the composition and gives an appearance of great aristocratic dignity.

The work is to be placed within the pictorial production of the portraitist Giovanni Bernardo Carbone (Genoa, 1616 - 1683), who established himself in the flourishing Genoese art market of the seventeenth century and successfully dedicated himself to this genre, achieving excellent results with his workshop following the example of the very famous models of Anton Van Dyck, so much so that he can be considered a follower of the Flemish artist.
The Flemish author had in fact lived in Genoa around the twenties of the century, becoming a point of reference for many authors of the city, who looked at and studied his style, even when he later returned to his homeland.

In this regard, in relation to our portrait, we cannot fail to mention the portrait that Van Dyck made for Count Hendrik van den Bergh, belonging to one of the most illustrious families of Flanders, from which he partly takes the composition, but adapting the features to the commissioner of the painting.

The first version of the painting is in Madrid, at the Prado Museum, while a second version (for many an excellent study replica), is kept in the French collection of the musée Condé, in Chantilly.

The painting was also popularized by the engraving of Paulus Pontius, who was commissioned to transfer onto copper some of the most famous paintings by both Van Dyck (1599-1641).

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:
The painting is in good condition with visible color restorations.
The painting is sold with a certificate of authenticity and a descriptive iconographic sheet. This piece is attributed to the mentioned designer/maker. It has no attribution mark and no
official proof of authenticity,
however it is well documented in design history. I take full responsibility for any authenticity



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