portrait of a philosopher holding a book, entourage of Mattia Pretti

Portrait of an erudite old man his hand resting on a book, he doubts, reflects with his head bowed, his forehead worried.
time has passed, the man questions himself about life, existence; all these themes so dear to the Neapolitan school of which Mattia Preti or José de Ribera are the masters.
the play of chiaroscuro is here superbly expressed by certainly a disciple of Mattia Preti who with a certain talent expresses the feelings of this old man.

Born in Taverna region of Calabria he stayed in Rome then in Naples to become one of the grand masters of the city; then became the official painter of the order of Saint John of Jerusalem in Valletta Malta until his death in 1699.
related works:
Saint Paul with his eyes raised museum of Valletta, Malta
Dieu le père church of Saint Domenic Taverne (Calabria) around 1672


with frame : 80 cm x 67.3 cm
without : 67,8cm x 56,7 cm