Head of a Bishop

Gaetano Gandolfi Italian

Not on view


In addition to altarpieces, ceiling decorations, and canvases with mythological subjects, Gandolfi painted bust-length images of men and women from various walks of life. Unlike portraits, these character studies allowed the artist to explore diverse emotions, expressions, and facial types. This example’s exceptionally pristine condition preserves Gandolfi’s lively brushwork, particularly evident in the bishop’s beard and collar. Gandolfi belonged to a family of artists in Bologna: his brother, Ubaldo, was a painter and so was his son, Mauro.

Head of a Bishop, Gaetano Gandolfi (Italian, San Matteo della Decima 1734–1802 Bologna), Oil on canvas

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