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510 - Portrait of Alfonso III d’Este – Italian School. 17th centur…
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Estimate €3,500 - €9,000
Sale commission
Description
Portrait of Alfonso III d’Este – Italian School. 17th century Oil on canvas. Dimensions 83 x 68 cm. Official portrait of Alfonso III d’Este following his renunciation of the Duchy of Modena and his entry into the Capuchin Order under the name of Father John the Baptist. The figure is depicted in half-length, dressed in the austere Franciscan habit and holding a crucifix, an attribute that emphasises his new religious status and his dedication to the spiritual life. On a table in the background lie the ducal crown and sceptre, symbols of temporal authority voluntarily relinquished, which convey a powerful moral message about renouncing worldly power in favour of the salvation of the soul. The composition unfolds against a dark background that draws the viewer’s attention to the sitter’s face, rendered with remarkable realism and psychological depth. The direct gaze, the long grey beard and the restraint of his gestures convey an image of contemplation, experience and firm spiritual conviction. The directed lighting delicately highlights the features and hands, creating luminous contrasts that emphasise the figure’s three-dimensionality and accentuate the introspective nature of the scene. The artistic quality is evident in the expressive restraint, the meticulous construction of the portrait, and the ability to synthesise the subject’s political and religious identity through clear and effective iconography. Stylistically, the work belongs to the tradition of late Baroque Italian painting, in which portraiture serves as a vehicle for moral reflection and the exaltation of personal virtues. The chromatic restraint, the use of chiaroscuro, and the focus on the sitter’s inner life fully reflect the spiritual sensibility promoted by the Counter-Reformation. This portrait stands as a valuable testament to one of the most remarkable figures in the history of the House of Este, whose extraordinary decision to abdicate the throne in order to embrace religious life found powerful visual expression ...
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About the sale GRAND SUMMER AUCTION OF HAUTE ÉPOQUE AND PRIVATE COLLECTIONS
Auction location
Auction time 06/29/2026 at 4:00 AM
Pictures credits: Contact the Auction House
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