Artwork
Matteo Olivieri (?)
Matteo Olivieri (?) is a tempera painting. It dates from 1434 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art. This painting, tentatively titled Matteo Olivieri (?
- Inscription
- Inscribed:across bottom: MATHEVS OLIVIERI D[OMO]NI IOANNI FILI[US] (Matteo Olivieri, son of Giovanni)
About this work
History & Provenance
In November 1923, Bardini sought 8,000 pounds for this painting and its pair, Michele Oliveri, before the works were sold to Duveen Brothers, Inc.
Attributed to a Florentine artist of the 15th century, the portrait known as Matteo Olivieri is dated to approximately 1430. The work was executed in tempera, possibly with oil, on a panel that was later transferred to canvas. Its documented ownership chain begins with the Florentine dealer Stefano Bardini (1836–1922).
In November 1923, Bardini sought 8,000 pounds for this painting and its pair, Michele Oliveri, before the works were sold to Duveen Brothers, Inc. in early 1924. The Duveen Paris office facilitated the transaction, with payments recorded in January and March of that year. The painting was subsequently acquired by The A.W. Mellon Educational and Charitable Trust in Pittsburgh on December 15, 1936, and entered the National Gallery of Art in Washington, D.C., as a gift from the trust in 1937.
The painting is held by the National Gallery of Art, Washington, D.C., accessioned as part of the Andrew W. Mellon Collection. It entered the Gallery in 1937 as a gift from The A.W. Mellon Educational and Charitable Trust, having been purchased from Duveen Brothers, Inc. on 15 December 1936. The work’s early provenance traces to Stefano Bardini, Florence, before its sale in 1924 to Duveen Brothers.
Overview
This painting, tentatively titled Matteo Olivieri (?), depicts a male figure in profile. Executed in tempera, possibly with oil, on a panel subsequently transferred to canvas, the artwork exhibits characteristics associated with the Renaissance period. The artist employs a focused composition and a rich color palette to render the sitter, set against a deep blue ground, conveying a sense of presence and depth.
Subject & Meaning
The portrait presents a man facing right in profile, distinguished by his formal attire. He wears a red robe featuring a black collar, complemented by a matching red head covering that extends down his back. This specific mode of dress, combined with the painting's overall aesthetic, suggests a subject from the Renaissance era, typical of portraiture from that period.
Technique & Style
The artist utilized tempera, potentially incorporating oil, on a wooden panel before its transfer to canvas. The work displays a meticulous approach to detail and a sophisticated use of color and composition, contributing to its three-dimensional quality. The application of chiaroscuro, a technique involving strong contrasts between light and dark, further enhances the form and volume of the subject, aligning with methods prevalent during the Renaissance.
Artist & collection
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