Artwork
Portrait of a Member of the Quaratesi Family
Portrait of a Member of the Quaratesi Family is an oil painting. It dates from 1561 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.
- Inscription
- Inscribed:upper left: ANNO AETATIS SVE 34 / ET DE ANNO 1561
About this work
Technique & Style
The composition portrays a male sitter, consistent with the genre of formal likeness, and the dimensions measured at 103.
The work is executed in oil on a wooden panel, identified as probably oak, which serves as its support; the paint layer consists of traditional oil pigments applied in thin, blended strokes typical of mid‑16th‑century French portraiture. The composition portrays a male sitter, consistent with the genre of formal likeness, and the dimensions measured at 103.5 cm in height by 87 cm in width reflect a life‑size presentation. The oil medium yields a smooth, luminous finish, and the rendering exhibits restrained modeling of facial features and a muted palette that emphasizes realism over decorative excess.
History & Provenance
Executed in 1561, this oil painting on panel was created by an anonymous French artist of the sixteenth century. The work's documented ownership begins with Alessandro Contini Bonacossi in Florence. In September 1931, the Samuel H. Kress Foundation acquired the piece, which was identified at the time of sale as a portrait by Antonis Mor.
Following its purchase, the painting entered the collection of Mrs. Rush H. Kress in New York. In 1991, she initiated a partial and promised gift of the artwork to the National Gallery of Art in Washington, D.C., with the transfer of ownership officially completed in 2006.
Portrait of a Member of the Quaratesi Family is part of the National Gallery of Art's collection in Washington, D.C. The work entered the museum through the Samuel H. Kress Foundation, which acquired it in September 1931, and was subsequently gifted to the National Gallery in 1991 with full transfer completed in 2006. Its accession is recorded under the Kress Collection, though the precise inventory number is not specified in the available documentation. The painting has not been listed in publicly available exhibition catalogs within the provided sources.
Overview
This painting, titled Portrait of a Member of the Quaratesi Family, is an oil on oak panel. It depicts a male figure in a formal seated pose, adorned in elaborate 16th-century attire. The artwork offers insight into the fashion and social standing of the period, emphasizing the sitter's wealth through the meticulous rendering of his ornate clothing and accessories.
Subject & Meaning
The portrait features an unidentified man from the Quaratesi family, presented with a dignified demeanor. His opulent garments, including a distinctive hat and gloves, are rendered with considerable precision, reflecting the sartorial trends of the 1500s. The richness and detail of his dress serve as visual indicators of his elevated social status and prosperity within Florentine society.
Artist & collection
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