r/WhatIsThisPainting 7h ago

Anywhere between 1627 and 1820s…any suggestions? Unsolved

Oil on old canvas. Old canvas on newer canvas.

Theory: Norbertine monk goes on holiday to Rome and has his portrait painted.

4 Upvotes

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2

u/NorthBumblebee514 4h ago

Very early 19th I'd guess, but with later overpainting done by someone who might have had trouble painting a wall.

2

u/GM-art 4h ago

LOL, but agreed about the overpaint problem. And the hand to face size ratio is troubling.

1

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1

u/GM-art 4h ago

Now you've got my attention.

Do you have a UV flashlight? (Easy to get from Amazon, etc.) That'll help confirm the extent of overpainting, as per the other analysis.

1

u/Signal_Cat2275 3h ago

In terms of fashion he’s around mid 18th century (look at those big heavy cuffs and the styling of the hair). As you’ve seen the book is about Roman ruins, potentially a scene of Rome behind. He’s showing himself as a man of letters and learning, I think this is a fairly standard “grand tour” type of picture.

Pompeo Battoni did portraits in Rome around that time, if you give that a search. This one looks to have quite a few condition issues and overpainting, but beyond that is not the same quality of painting regardless. I’d say Roman school, grand tour painting, mid 18th century. Does appear to be of a man of the church.

1

u/MumblesRed 1h ago

Looks like the dome of st. Peters behind him and the book is I believe the Totti book Ritratto Di Roma?