Portrait of Dante Alighieri, Florentine School of the 16th Century

Florentine School of the 16th Century
Cristofano di Papi dell'Altissimo (Florence 1525 – Florence 1605) workshop

Portrait of Dante Alighieri (Florence 1265 – Ravenna 1321)

Oil on panel, 58 x 45 cm.
In frame 84 x 70 cm.

We present to you this valuable painting, one of the rare portraits of Dante Alighieri (Florence 1265 – Ravenna 1321) of excellent execution quality, to be included in the series of posthumous portraits that the greatest authors of the Renaissance dedicated to the Supreme Poet, attesting to his acclaimed and immortal fame.

Among the very earliest representations of Dante we can mention Giotto's fresco of Paradise from 1332-1337 (Cappella del Podestà, Palazzo Bargello, Florence), the portrait of Dante with the Divine Comedy in the fresco by Domenico di Michelino from 1465 (Santa Maria del Fiore, Florence), and the portrait of the poet in profile by Sandro Botticelli from around 1495 (Private collection), today one of the best-known and most widespread depictions of the poet.

Returning to our work, we can fully include it in the traditional iconography of his profile, which has contributed to his recognizability to the present day: the poet is immortalized with the characteristic red cloak and cap, usually worn by Florentine diplomats, with an elongated, angular face with a hooked nose and a laurel wreath, the so-called "crown of poets."

From a stylistic point of view, in particular, we are inclined to attribute its creation to an artist active in Florence around 1550, trained or active in the prolific workshop of Cristofano di Papi dell'Altissimo (1530-1605), a pupil of Bronzino and then of Pontormo, from whom he inherited the passion for portraiture, as well as the stylistic approach.

The painter worked for the Medici family, and in particular created for Cosimo I a collection of around 500 portraits of illustrious men, known as the 'Jovian Series' (Uffizi Gallery, today in the upper part of the Eastern Corridor) which, among others, also included that of our poet.

His fame as a portrait painter grew to such an extent that the workshop often produced versions of the same subject, with countless variations.

In our beautiful work, for example, Dante is depicted half-length, with his face and gaze turned to the left, a serious but intense expression, and facial features that evoke at first glance the portraiture of early Florentine Mannerism.

We know of several replicas/copies, in size and composition, among the comparable versions from the early sixteenth century there are:
– Musée Condé, Chantilly, Portrait of Dante, Florentine School of the 500th century, attributed to Bachiacca
– Uffizi Gallery, Florence, Portrait of Dante, Florentine School, 500th century, previously attributed to Perugino: http://catalogo.fondazionezeri.unibo.it/foto/120000/85200/84831_gw.jpg
– Civic Museums of Como, Palazzo Volpi, Portrait of Dante, 500th-century Florentine School: https://catalogo.beniculturali.it/detail/Lombardia/HistoricOrArtisticProperty/1m050-00002_R03
– Van Diemen-Lilienfeld Galleries, New York: http://catalogo.fondazionezeri.unibo.it/scheda/opera/38213/Anonimo%20fiorentino%20sec.%20XVI%2C%20Ri…
– Yale University Art Gallery New Haven (Connecticut, United States of America): https://artgallery.yale.edu/collections/objects/348

Although quite rare, we can find some similar works at international auctions:
– Dorotheum, Vienna (April 24, 2018, lot 14): https://www.dorotheum.com/en/l/5137391/
– Dorotheum, Vienna (April 20, 2019, lot 317): https://www.dorotheum.com/de/l/6154239/
– Sothebys, New York (January 30, 2019): https://www.sothebys.com/en/auctions/ecatalogue/2019/master-paintings-evening-n10007/lot.1.html

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:

The work sold is completed by a pleasant wooden frame and is accompanied by a certificate of authenticity and guarantee.

We take care of and organize the transport of the purchased works, both for Italy and abroad, through professional and insured carriers.

It is also possible to see the painting in the gallery in Riva del Garda, we will be happy to welcome you to show you our collection of works.

Contact us, without obligation, for any additional information.

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