About this lot

Description

Follower of Sir Anthony van Dyck

Portrait of Tomasso Francesco of Savoy, 1st Prince of Carignano (1596-1656) half-length, in armour, wearing the cross of the Savoyan Order of the Most Sacred Annunciation and holding a baton
oil on canvas, enlarged
97 x 76cm

The present portrait might derive from van Dyck's 1634 full length equestrian portrait of the Prince Carignano, now in the Galleria Sabauda, Turin. It may have also been inspired by a period engraved portrait of the sitter which shows him half-length, holding a baton and resting his arm on a helmet, which was executed by Paulus Pontius after a similar composition by van Dyck and published circa 1635.

The painting is executed in oil on canvas support. The original dimensions have been enlarged and the joins are visible to the naked eye. The smaller format is probably close to the original dimensions as cusping is evident in the canvas texture around the edges. The paint layers are in a stable condition overall. Brushy overpaint is present in the background. The joins in the canvas have been covered with a smooth fill and the overpaint in these areas has darkened. Small scattered areas of overpaint are evident in the sitter’s face, covering areas of wear and reinforcing the outlines of the composition. The varnish layers are very matte and dull, no longer adequately saturating the paint layers below. There are dark spots in the varnish and a layer of surface dirt present.
118 x 97cm framed

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