Portrait Of Antonio Cappello – School Of Tintoretto

Splendid portrait of Antonio Cappello, a member of the San Polo branch, probably born in 1494 and deceased in 1565. A prominent figure of the Republic of Venice, Cappello held important positions, including that of Procurator in 1525. A man of power and a skilled strategist, he played a crucial role in reshaping the balance of Christian Western Europe by collaborating with the Spanish Emperor to organize resistance against the Ottoman advance.   The painting, which originated from a Milanese auction in the 1960s, was already cataloged with an attribution to the school of Tintoretto. However, the emblem of the Cappello family had been obscured. During restoration, the artwork was relined and pressed, leading to a loss of volume and depth in its pictorial rendering.   The dimensions of the painting are 113 x 89 cm, while with its frame (crafted in the 19th century and therefore not contemporary), it measures 145 x 120 cm.   Analysis and Diagnostics   The painting has undergone extensive technical examination, including:   Optical microscopy in reflected polarized light   Optical microscopy under UV light   Scanning electron microscopy (SEM)   Electron microprobe analysis (EDS), which provided positive results regarding the composition of the pigments and pictorial materials.     The imposing figure of Antonio Cappello, with his proud gaze and sumptuous attire, reflects the power and influence of the Venetian nobility in the 16th century. The energetic brushwork and strong chiaroscuro clearly recall the school of Tintoretto, with a keen focus on the subject's psychological characterization.