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PORTRAIT OF A NOBLEWOMAN  - CIRCLE OF PIER FRANCISCO CITTADINI.

A large scale and highly decorative 17th century portrait of an Italian noblewoman, in elaborate costume and jewels, in a draped interior with her spaniel. Housed in a later fine antique gilded frame.

Pier Franciso Cittadini (1616 - 1681) 
Was an Italian painter of the Baroque period, he was active mainly in Bologna painting lush still lives and highly decorative portraits such as our example. Initially a pupil of Daniele Crespi, Cittadini moved to Bologna before the age of 20 to study with Guido Reni, whose influence is clearly evident in such early works as the Stoning of Saint Stephen, the Flagellation and the Crowning with Thorns in the church of Santo Stefano.

Cittadini  travelled to Rome in the mid-1640s, where he came into contact with the French and Flemish artists. This international melting pot gave birth to an original artistic vocabulary which he directed towards the naturalistic depiction of reality. This is evidenced by a vast number of still lifes, landscapes and characterful and decorative portraits. He also painted frescoes for the Ducal Palace of Sassuolo.

Canvas : 42" x 31" / 107cm x 78cm.
Frame: 50.5" x 39.5" / 129cm x 100cm. 
Internal Ref: 00033