Allegory of Study

Artist Salvator Rosa (Italian, 1615 - 1673)

Dateca. 1646-49

CultureItalian

MediumOil on canvas

ClassificationPaintings

ProvenancePossibly Richard Grosvenor (1731–1802), 1st Earl Grosvenor, Eaton Hall, Cheshire; Robert Grosvenor (1767–1845), 1st Marquess of Westminster, Eaton Hall, Cheshire, and Grosvenor House, London; Richard Grosvenor (1795– 1869), 2nd Marquess of Westminster, Grosvenor House, London; Hugh Lupus Grosvenor (1825–1899), 1st Duke of Westminster, Grosvenor House, London; Hugh Richard Arthur Grosvenor (1879–1953), 2nd Duke of Westminster, Grosvenor House, London; (sold Westminster sale, Christie’s, London, 4 July 1924, lot 38, to Arthur U. Newton, New York). John Ringling (1866–1936), Sarasota, Florida; bequest in 1936 to the John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art, Sarasota, Florida.

Credit LineBequest of John Ringling, 1936

Object numberSN152

The young man at his desk was once thought to be Salvator Rosa himself. A prolific satirist and poet as well as a celebrated artist, Rosa produced many self-portraits in allegorical disguise. Although the face does not resemble that of Rosa the figure may symbolize the artist’s notion of himself as a philosopher and author. Contrary to common practice, Rosa did not often execute preparatory drawings for paintings, preferring to paint directly onto the canvas from the live model. The loose handling of the paint and brush reinforces the sense of immediacy with the sitter.

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On view

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