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Portrait of a Girl
Francesco Solimena·c. 1700
Historical Context
Francesco Solimena painted this portrait of a young girl around 1700, a period when he was the undisputed master of Neapolitan painting and ran one of the largest workshops in Europe. While primarily known for his grand religious and mythological compositions, Solimena also produced portraits that display a more intimate and observant side of his art. His influence extended throughout southern Italy and into Austria and Germany.
Technical Analysis
The warm, rich palette and confident brushwork are characteristic of Solimena's mature style. The young girl's face is modeled with soft transitions of light and shadow, while the handling of fabric shows the decorative richness typical of late Baroque Neapolitan painting.
Provenance
E. and A. Silberman Galleries, New York [unsubstantiated note in curatorial file]. John J. Ireland (died 1968), Chicago, by 1968; bequest to the Art Institute, 1968.
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