Scuola veneziana, XVIII secolo

Venetian School, 18th Century Portrait of a Gentleman Oil on canvas, 95 x 71 cm Antique gilded frame with red lacquer details, 114 x 92 cm The examined painting depicts a Venetian aristocrat with a powdered wig, dressed in a dark blue jacket, embellished with an elegant golden border, a light waistcoat, and a shirt with lace cuffs. A red cloak envelops his left shoulder, creating a theatrical effect that emphasizes the nobility of the portrayed subject. The gentleman holds an open book in his right hand, suggesting an interest in culture and literature. The lighting is concentrated on the face and the upper part of the figure, while the dark background gives depth to the composition. The work can be traced back to the 18th-century Venetian school, with a possible connection to Alessandro Longhi (1733-1813), a renowned portraitist of the Venetian aristocracy and son of the famous Pietro Longhi. Alessandro Longhi developed a style influenced by the Venetian Rococo and the official portrait tradition, characterized by a careful depiction of the clothes and a lighting that emphasizes the importance of the subject.