Artwork
Portrait of a Senator

Portrait of a Senator is an oil painting by the High Baroque Italian artist Giovanni Bernardo Carbone. It dates from 1669 and is held in the collection of the Hermitage Museum.
About this work
Overview
Giovanni Bernardo Carbone’s oil portrait, dated 1669, depicts a seated gentleman in formal dress, presumed to be a senator. The work is part of the collection of the State Hermitage Museum in St. Petersburg.
Subject & Meaning
The sitter wears dark clothing with a ruffled collar and holds a black hat in his right hand, his gaze turned to the left. His expression is sober, suggesting the dignified bearing expected of a public official of the period.
Technique & Style
Carbone employs chiaroscuro, using strong contrasts between light and shadow to model the figure’s face and hands. A deep red backdrop amplifies the darkness of the attire, enhancing the three‑dimensional effect and focusing attention on the sitter’s features.
History & Provenance
Created in the late seventeenth century, the portrait entered the State Hermitage Museum’s holdings, where it remains on display. No further details about its ownership before acquisition are recorded in the museum’s catalogue.
Own this work as a print
Artist & collection
Artist
Giovanni Bernardo Carbone (1614–1683) was an artist, born in Genoa.










