Attributable to Carlo Ceresa (San Giovanni Bianco 1609 – Bergamo 1679)Full-length portrait of Giacomo Pesenti Oil on canvas (206 x 121 cm - framed 212 x 133cm) Additional details of this painting are available directly from this - LINK - This captivating full-length portrait of a gentleman, dating back to the 17th century, exemplifies the stylistic and compositional traits typical of Lombard painting, particularly from the Bergamo area. This connection is evident in elements such as the natural light, the simple and austere setting, and especially the subtle psychological characterization of the face. We are inclined to attribute it to the hand of the portraitist Carlo Ceresa, one of the most illustrious figure painters from Bergamo in the 17th century, who was able to develop a style of intense realism and acute psychological insight. In his works, and our portrait perfectly reflects these canons, there is an evident extraordinary naturalistic imprint, great realism, and notable essentiality. Those traits of severity, moral rigor, and austerity typical of his portraiture find a perfect balance here: his portraits, never grandiose or rhetorical, are deeply linked to the concept of the Counter-Reformation. By immortalizing the main personalities of the time, he established himself as a point of reference for the Bergamo aristocracy, from the Vertova to the Pesenti to the Secco Suardo. The figure in the portrait is Giacomo Pesenti, immortalized here in life-size with a rigorous black suit, his left hand resting on a table, on which are placed writing necessities and a manuscript, and his right hand, with a signet ring on his little finger, resting along his side while holding his gloves. He wears a suit of incredible rigor, dressed as befits a man of his high social extraction, while the sharp light focuses on his face, with an intensity that seems accentuated by the reflection of the pristine collar with its clear profile. For Ceresa, it is not the richness of the dress that gives value to the subject; it is necessary to give feeling and bring out the character of the person, and he succeeds wonderfully in this, aided by his ability to grasp the essence of the person and return it to us in painting through the face and the light used as a strong expressive element. The image in fact highlights that 'Counter-Reformed' composure typical of the portraiture of painters active in this area and era, adhering to a verism that includes austerity of intent and character, which are resolved in portraits, such as the one under consideration, of great impact and character. The gentleman, with his long silvery hair and suggestion of a mustache, is portrayed with a penetrating gaze fixed on the observer, with an energetic and charismatic aspect, as befits members of the most influential families of Bergamo who achieved power and wealth through the trade in textiles and financial dealings. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION The painting is in good condition, and there are some losses on the canvas and frame linked to the age that do not alter the reading of the work. The work is sold complete with a wooden frame and is accompanied by a certificate of authenticity and a descriptive iconographic sheet. We handle and organize the transport of the purchased works, both for Italy and abroad, through professional and insured carriers. It is also possible to see the painting in the gallery in Riva del Garda; we will be happy to welcome you to show you our collection of works. Contact us, without obligation, for any additional information. Follow us also on: https://www.instagram.com/galleriacastelbarco/?hl=it https://www.facebook.com/galleriacastelbarco/