Mauro Gandolfi, Bologna 1764 - 1834 Bologna, attributed, Study heads

Mauro Gandolfi
Bologna 1764 - 1834 Bologna, attributed
Study heads
Oil on canvas, relined
53 x 45 cm, with frame 69 x 62 cm

This figure of an elderly, bearded man in three poses could be the figure of St Jerome in Mauro Gandolfi's altarpiece of around 1792, which he made for the main altar of the church of Santa Maria delle Laudi in Bologna. Today it is kept by the Amministrazione Provinciale (Inv.-Nr. 2936). At this time, from 1787 to 1796, Mauro worked in the workshop of his father Gaetano Gandolfi (San Matteo della Decima near Bologna 1734 - 1802 Bologna).
The study heads show the older man in a pensive, serene manner. In Mauro's sketches, groups of three are often depicted; here, however, the heads are particularly finely executed and can be regarded as an almost independent work of art. The man is shown in profile view looking to the right, then in a three-quarter view looking up to the left, and finally in a three-quarter view looking down to the left. This reveals the physiognomic features of the man, starting with the balding head, the thoughtfully wrinkled forehead, the dominant nose, the deep-set eyes with thick eyebrows, and the long full beard. His white undergarment and green outer robe have slipped loosely off his shoulder, possibly alluding to his hermit status.
The strokes are particularly impressive; the ductus virtuoso, but controlled. The white highlights of the robe, the upper lip beard and the main head of hair are deliberately used to heighten the effect of the light. The upward looking eye, especially the caruncle and the teardrop spot, is emphasised and underlines the profound emotional power of his expressive face. It is highly likely that this is a study created after life. Mauro Gandolfi learned to depict this emotionality from his father, who produced a similar study of an elderly bearded man (auctioned at Sotheby's in early 2023, Bagni 1992, p. 530, cat. no. 499), although there the older painter concentrated more on the colouring than on the lines, and considerably less white highlights are visible. Nevertheless, the immediate and naturalistic manner of depiction point to a painting after life. Father and son executed numerous works, including such head studies, in the genre of portraiture. These were either transformed into allegorical figures with attributes, produced as "teste di carattere" or executed as studies for figures intended for larger, multi-figure compositions. It is very likely that this is a study for a more monumental work, possibly even for the altar of Santa Maria delle Laudi in Bologna. A stylistically very related work was sold at auction for a six-figure sum at Sotheby's London in 2005 (Bagni 1992, p. 479, cat. no. 450).

Literature:
P. Bagni, I Gandolfi, Affreschi, Dipinti, Bozzetti, Disegni, Bologna 1992, p. 479, cat. no. 450; p. 530, cat. no. 499.