Portrait of Paolo Morigia

This portrait is rightly regarded as one of the masterpieces of the Milanese painter Fede Galizia, who was also famous for her exquisite still lifes.

Along the upper margin runs an inscription recording the subject, the 72-year-old Milanese historian Paolo Morigia, general of the Jesuit Order, and the date 1596. He is shown in the act of writing verses for the artist herself. He seems to have just turned to the viewer after taking off his glasses as if he had just looked up from his work.

The vitality that comes directly from Morigia’s eyes is striking, as is the artist’s profound study of his physiognomy. Fede Galizia here reveals her deep knowledge of the Lombard tradition of portraiture, especially the work of Moroni and Lorenzo Lotto, while the detail of the reflection in the lenses was inspired by a North-European tradition. The books stacked on the desk are depicted with naturalistic fidelity, like a still life. They include Morigia’s most famous work, La Nobiltà di Milano.

Morigia prized this portrait by Fede Galizia highly, regarding it as a very good likeness.

We present today's painting thanks to the Pinacoteca Ambrosiana in Milan.  : ) 

P.S. Here's another beautiful painting by this exquisite female artist, A Glass Compote with Peaches, Jasmine Flowers, Quinces and a Grasshopper! <3