A Young Nun | Narodna galerija

The unusual habit in which the young nun on this wonderful portrait is clad is that of a little-known monastic order which has not yet been identified. The style of this work of art is also still not clear. The previous attribution of the painting to Sofonisba Anguissola of Cremona (Cremona 1528–Palermo? 1625) has been excluded: on the contrary both the colour scale and the psychological characterisation suggest the first two decades of the 18th century and probably Rome. This exceptional portrait shows considerable similarities with the work of Pier Leone Ghezzi (Rome 1674–Rome 1755), but no attribution can be made until more detailed research has been undertaken.

Artist Anonymous

Year of creation (1st half 18th cent.)

Technique oil, canvas

Dimensions 58 x 51,5 cm

Inventory number NG S 638, National Gallery of Slovenia, Ljubljana

Collection 1700–1800

Restored: 1960.
Provenance: Unknown. Narodna galerija, Ljubljana, old Inv. No. 526 (second half 17C).
Exhibitions: 1960, Ljubljana, No. 10; 1983, Ljubljana, No. 34.
Lit.: Cevc 1960, p. 19, Cat. No. 10 (style of Sofonisba Anguisciola); Rizzi 1970, p. 234 (Sofonisba Anguisciola: attribution unfounded); Rizzi 1972, p. 132, Cat. No. 10 (Italian, 17C); Zeri [& Rozman] 1983, p. 120, Cat. No. 34, Fig. 33.