After Guido Reni, Portrait of Elisabetta Sirani

Description:
This oil on canvas portrait, painted in the style of Guido Reni, features the semi-profile image of Elisabetta Sirani, an Italian Baroque artist. The painting contrasts a dark background with the light garments and fair visage of the subject, creating a sensitive and contemplative aura. The model's slightly melancholic gaze almost meets the viewer’s, inviting a quiet, introspective connection. The work is noted for its graceful composition, with a delicate play of light and shadow. The canvas shows signs of aging, with darkening and craquelure across the surface.

Medium: Oil on Canvas
Dimensions: 11 x 8 1/2 in (28 x 21.5 cm)
Condition Report: Darkening and craquelure to surface overall.

About the Artist:
Guido Reni (1575–1642), a prominent Italian Baroque painter, was renowned for his classical style and idealized depictions of religious and mythological subjects. His early training under the Flemish artist Denis Calvaert and the influence of the Carracci family shaped his distinctive approach, which balanced the exuberance of Baroque art with classical restraint. Reni’s compositions are characterized by harmonious proportions and graceful figures. His paintings, which include major religious works and frescoes like Aurora (1613-14), made him one of the leading painters of his time in Europe, and his serene style served as a model for other Baroque artists.