A Portrait of an Italian Nobleman. By Antiveduto Grammatica ...

Hammer

£7,000

A Portrait of an Italian Nobleman. By Antiveduto Grammatica (1571 - 1626). Italian. Oil on canvas.

Provenance:

• Baron Kettleby thence by descent;


• The Reverend W.A. Bedbrough, Kent, by 1909.

Antiveduto Grammatica spent most of his career in Rome. He was apprenticed with the Perugian artist Giovanni Domenico Angelini and gained the nickname "gran Capocciante" because he specialised in painting heads of famous men. In 1591 he set up as an independent artist. He was characterized by Giulio Mancini as most zealous in his profession, Antiveduto began his association with the Accademia di San Luca in 1593. He gained great familiarity with the two protectors of the Academy, Cardinals Federico Borromeo and Francesco Maria Del Monte, and was closely attached to the latter; so much that he was elected to the highest office of the association as "principe" in 1624. Shortly after this, however, he became embroiled in scandal. The machinations of Grammatica's enemy Tommaso Salini over the attempt to sell off the Accademia's altarpiece, thought to be by Raphael, brought about a humiliating retreat, when Cardinal Del Monte intervened to re-establish the constitution of the institution. His fortunes were in a way linked with the Cardinal himself, who was much frowned upon by the Barberini, and his death preceded that of Del Monte by four months, in April 1626.

His works are exhibited in numerous public collections, including the State Hermitage Museum - St Petersburg, the Museo Nacional del Prado - Madrid, the Kunsthistorisches Museum, Vienna, the Muzeul Naţional Brukenthal - Sibiu/Hermannstadt, Romania, the Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum - Glasgow, and the Maison D'Art Gallery, Monaco.

Dimensions:
(Frame) 45.25 in (H) x 41 in (W)
(Canvas) 39.25 in (H) x 35 in (W)