Artwork
Portrait of a Musician
Portrait of a Musician is an oil painting by the Neoclassicist artist Andrea Appiani. It dates from 1800 and is held in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art.
About this work
Technique & Style
Andrea Appiani's Portrait of a Musician, executed in 1800, is an oil painting on a panel support. The work measures 43.8 cm in height and 60.3 cm in width. As a portrait genre piece created in Italy, the medium consists of oil paint applied to the wooden panel, characteristic of the artist's neoclassical approach during the turn of the nineteenth century.
History & Provenance
The dating and creation details derive from contemporary records indicating an 1800 inception, while the museum’s catalogue confirms the material and size.
The painting Portrait of a Musician was created by Andrea Appiani in 1800 in Italy, executed in oil on panel with dimensions 43.8 cm by 60.3 cm. It entered the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art, where it is recorded under accession number 2011.46. The work remains in the museum’s custody and is displayed as part of its European portrait holdings. No documentation of a specific commission or subsequent private ownership chain is provided in the sources.
The dating and creation details derive from contemporary records indicating an 1800 inception, while the museum’s catalogue confirms the material and size.
Overview
Andrea Appiani, an Italian artist known as "the Elder," completed Portrait of a Musician in 1800. This oil painting exemplifies the portrait genre, reflecting the Neoclassical movement's characteristic emphasis on clarity and controlled composition. The artwork is presently part of the collection at The Cleveland Museum of Art, representing Appiani's contributions to early 19th-century European art.
Subject & Meaning
The painting depicts a male figure, likely a musician, holding a sheet of musical notation. Despite the suggestion of his profession through the score, no instrument is visible, drawing attention instead to his composed expression and hands. His neatly styled curly hair and light collar contrast with a dark coat, presenting a dignified and focused individual.
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Artist & collection
Artist
Andrea Appiani (31 May 1754 – 8 November 1817) was an Italian neoclassical painter. He is known as "the elder", to distinguish him from his great-nephew Andrea Appiani, a historical painter in Rome.
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