Diptych with Portraits of Gian Galeazzo Visconti, First Duke of Milan, and His Wife Caterina di Bernabὸ Visconti

probably late 18th or early 19th century

Italian 18th/19th Century

Associated Names
Italian 18th/19th Century

Artist

The image depicts a diptych frame with two oval miniature portraits. The left portrait shows a man in profile with a beard and historical attire. The right portrait shows a woman facing forward with jewelry and elaborate clothing. Both portraits are encircled by a green and gold border within a detailed frame featuring gold filigree and jeweled detailing. The outer frame is black with gold floral patterns and a hinge at the center. The background is a gray gradient.

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Artwork overview

  • Medium

    Polychrome diptych of wood and precious stones, two oval nielloed silver plates with traces of gilding

  • Credit Line

    Samuel H. Kress Collection

  • Dimensions

    overall (open): 8.2 × 14.4 × 1.3 cm (3 1/4 × 5 11/16 × 1/2 in.)
    overall (closed): 8.2 × 7.2 × 2.7 cm (3 1/4 × 2 13/16 × 1 1/16 in.)

  • Accession Number

    1961.9.171.a-d

Associated Artworks

The image shows a portrait of a man in an oval frame. The man is in profile, looking to the right. He has short wavy hair, prominent facial features, noticeable facial hair, and a square jaw. He wears a detailed garment with a high collar and intricate patterns, as well as a chain. The frame around the portrait has gold filigree, ornamental designs, and colorful jewels, including reds and blues. The background is dark.

Giangaleazzo Visconti, First Duke of Milan [obverse]

Italian 18th/19th Century

1775

This is a painting of a portrait set in an ornate frame. The portrait features a figure wearing a detailed attire, including a headdress and jewelry. The portrait is oval-shaped and surrounded by a richly decorated frame, incorporating gold-toned metallic elements with swirling patterns. These patterns are further embellished with gemstones in hues of blue and red. The background within the oval is dark and the gold tones of the frame stand out brightly against the dark backdrop.

Caterina di Bernabὸ Visconti, Wife of Giangaleazzo Visconti [obverse]

Italian 18th/19th Century

1775

Artwork history & notes

Provenance

Possibly (Alvise Albrizzi, 1771- after 1841, Venice, 1831; [1] Sanquirico Brothers, Venice, by 1833; [2] Trivulzio Collection, Milan 1833-1935; [3] (Alessandro Contini Bonacossi, 1878-1955, Rome and Florence) ;[4] purchased 26 June 1935 by Samuel H. Kress (1863-1955), New York; gift 27 September 1950 to the Samuel H. Kress Foundation, New York;[5] gift 1961 to NGA.
[1] Laura Aldovini, _I Nielli Trivulzio. Storia, Tecnica, Collezionismo,_Milan, 2021: 246.
[2] Aldovini, I Nielli Trivulzio, 246.
[3] Aldovini, I Nielli Trivulzio, 246.
[4] The bill of sale included sculptures, maiolicas, furniture, antique velvets, paintings, and enamels, for a total of one hundred objects. Copy in NGA curatorial files. See also The Kress Collection Digital Archive, (https://kress.nga.gov/Detail/acquisitions/ACQ143).
[5] An affidavit of 21 August 1956 by Herbert L. Spencer, executive director, Samuel H. Kress Foundation, states the Trivulzio collection of nielli and enamels were given by Samuel H. Kress to the Foundation on 27 September 1950; original in National Gallery of Art Archives. Secretary and General Counsel Records – Major Donor Files; copy in NGA curatorial files.

Associated Names

Exhibition History

1874

  • Esposizione storica dell’arte industriale, Salone dei Giardini di Porta Venezia, Milan, 1874, no. 48

Bibliography

2021

  • Aldovini, Laura. I Nielli Trivulzio. Storia, Tecnica, Collezionismo. Milan, 2021: 108-109, 173, 246-247, 278-279, no. 83, fig. 64, pl. XXII.

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