(Bologna 1529–1592)
Portrait of the capuchin friar Matteo dei Volpari,
inscribed: F. MATHEVS DEVVLPARIS. CAP.C,
oil on canvas, 63 x 47.5 cm, framed

Provenance:
Francesco Molinari Pradelli collection, Marano di Castenaso, Bologna;
Private European collection

Exhibited:
Bologna, Pinacoteca Nazionale, Bologna 1584: gli esordi dei Carracci e gli affreschi di Palazzo Fava, 13 October - 16 Dicember 1984

Literature:
C. Volpe (ed.), Raccolta Molinari Pradelli, Florence 1984, p. 164 (as Bartolomeo Passerotti);
A. Mazza, Bologna 1584: gli esordi dei Carracci e gli affreschi di Palazzo Fava, in: A. Emiliani/L. Spezzaferro/G. Cammarota (ed.), Bologna 1984, p. 35, no. 29, illustrated (as area passerottiana);
A. Ghirardi, Bartolomeo Passerotti pittore (1529-1592), in: V. Fortunati (ed.), La Pittura bolognese del ’500, 2, Bologna 1986, p. 554 (as Bartolomeo Passerotti);
C. Höpper, Bartolomeo Passarotti (1529–1592), Worms 1987, p. 238, no. A42 (as workshop of Bartolomeo Passerotti);
A. Ghirardi, Bartolomeo Passerotti pittore (1529–1592), catalogo generale, Rimini 1990, p. 289, no. 104, fig. 104 a (as Bartolomeo Passerotti and workshop)

We are grateful to Daniele Benati for confirming the attribution after examining the present painting in the original.

The inscription at the top of the canvas reveals the identity of the sitter, a capuchin friar, Matteo de Vulpari. As such the present work does not depict an ideal figure but a realistic depiction of a capuchin. The painting reflects the artist’s typical formula for portraits, in which the sitter is shown three-quarter-length, displaying some objects; in this case the rosary, a simple wooden cross and a skull as symbols of meditation.

The present work belongs to the mature production of the artist, in which the naturalistic component, influenced by innovations of the Carracci family, is already present. The painting is the pendant to another work by the artist, depicting a Franciscan friar in ecstasy in a private collection (see A. Ghirardi, Bartolomeo Passerotti pittore (1529–1592), catalogo generale, Rimini 1990, p. 289, n. 104, fig. 104b).