Prince Alberico Barbiano di Belgiojoso d'Este was a Milanese diplomat and soldier who served in the Seven Years War. He received a knighthood of the Order of the Golden Fleece in 1790 for his services to the Hapsburgs. He became a prince when he married Princess Anna Ricciarda Barbiano di Belgiojoso d'Este in 1757. The prime versions of these compositions were part of the Wolkenstein art collection and have been entrusted to the state of Trentino.
The frames were possibly designed by Giocondo Albertolli (1742-1839), a leading Italian neo-classical ornamental designer who trained in Parma where he came into contact with the French designer and architect E.-A. Petitot. Perhaps most famous for the Palazzo Reale in Milan, he was also responsible for the ceilings of the Sala degli Stucchi and the Palazzina della Meridiana in the Palazzo Pitti in Florence, as well as his influential publications of engraved designs which were inspirational sources for Maggiolini and Maffezzoli. In 1775, he was appointed Professore at the Milan Accademia di Bella Arti and directed the school of ornament there until 1812. Furthermore his ornamental designs were published in Ornamenti diversi in 1782; Alcune decorazioni di nobili sale in 1787 and Miscellanea per i giovani studiosi del disegno in 1796. He also published Corso elementare di ornamenti architettonici in Milan, in 1805.
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Modern Medici Part II: Selections from a New York Collection
Portrait of Prince Alberico Barbiano di Belgiojoso d'Este (1725-1813), half-length; Portrait of Princess Anna Ricciarda Barbiano di Belgiojoso d'Este, three-quarter length, holding a fanAFTER DOMENICO ZENIEstimate: USD 15,000 - 20,000
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This pair of paintings are offered in matching elaborate carved and gilt frames. Both paintings have stable paint layers with a wide craquelure.
The first: Scattered retouchings throughout the sitter's face are visible in natural light, and are concentrated on his nose, chin, crease of his mouth on the left side and his temple on the right side of the canvas. Retouching can also be seen in the black of the sitter's collar on the left side, just below his cravat, and an area of retouching where the light hits his breast plate. Inspection under ultraviolet light confirms the aforementioned restoration, and reveals minor retouching throughout the background and the sitter's hair. Inspection under ultraviolet light also reveals an area with historic campaigns of retouching in the background to the right of the sitter's collar on the right side, measuring approximately 4 inches long. Further inspection is hindered by an opaque varnish that fluoresces green.
The second: Substantial retouching is visible throughout the sitter's face, hair, chest and gown. Strengthening strokes can be seen in the outline and folds of her sleeves, the dark folds of her blue sash, and in the hair of the face on the table. An area of retouching measuring approximately 1.75 inches across can be seen in her forearm. Inspection under ultraviolet light confirms the aforementioned restoration and indicates historic campaigns of retouching throughout the background. Further inspection is hindered by an opaque varnish that fluoresces green.
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Lot 9Sale 22205
Portrait of Prince Alberico Barbiano di Belgiojoso d'Este (1725-1813), half-length; Portrait of Princess Anna Ricciarda Barbiano di Belgiojoso d'Este, three-quarter length, holding a fanAFTER DOMENICO ZENIEstimate: USD 15,000 - 20,000
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