Tristano Martinelli (actor)
Fragonard, Jean-Honore (attrib) 1732 - 1806
Summary
This portrait of a bearded man, in a dark velvet outfit with a linen collar edged with lace, is related to a three-quarter length portrait of the same sitter by Domenico Fetti in The Hermitage, St Petersburg. The identity of the sitter remains doubtful. Once thought to portray the composer Claudio Monteverdi (1567-1643), it is now believed to be a portrait of Tristano Martinelli (c. 1557-1630) or perhaps Francesco Andreini (c. 1548-1624). The former was a successful actor in the company of the Duke of Mantua, while the latter joined I Gelosi, the commedia dell'arte company summoned to the French court by Henri IV. The brushwork in particular suggests that this could be a later copy by Fragonard of the 17th century original.
Object Name
Tristano Martinelli (actor)
Creators Name
Dimensions
object (object: 45.3cm (17 7/8in)): 45.3cm
frame (frame: cm):
object (object: 37.5cm (14 3/4in)): 37.5cm
accession number
1930.171
Place of creation
France
Support
canvas
Medium
oil
Credit
Presented by Mr Ernet Innes through the National Art Collections Fund
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