ACCADEMIA CARRARA, Hall 11

This room is dedicated to the austere, melancholy portraits painted between 1570 and 1575 by Giovan Battista Moroni. Originally from near Bergamo, Moroni is known for his sublime portraits of the minor aristocracy of the provinces and the wealthy middle classes who lived far away from the big cities and the latest fashions in the world of art, making their money from trade or from property income. The figures in his paintings are immobile, soberly dressed, and often appear against a plain, empty background.

Let’s start with the two portraits of man and wife, Bernardo Spini and Pace Rivola, which stand out because the two are portrayed full length. Bernardo was a merchant and politician, and is shown dressed in the austere Spanish-style suit in fashion at the time, featuring a stark contrast between the black of the fabric and the white of the cuffs, the card in his hand and the gloves.

Mirroring the painting of her husband is the portrait of Spini’s wife Pace, simply depicted in modest clothing, without jewelry, wearing a red dress buttoned up to her chin and a black cloak. The two paintings are the same size and have the same background, because they were once displayed side by side in the couple’s home.

Now take a look at “Ritratto di vecchio seduto” (Portrait of an old man seated)....