Scuola toscana (XVIII) - Giovane con libro - NO RESERVE

The painting presented here depicts a haloed figure during a moment of meditative study: a composition linked to the Florence Baroque tradition, rich in great aesthetic refinement. The subject, who diverts his gaze from reading and catches the viewer's eye, is characterized by a contemplative expression and an attitude that emphasizes the indulgent reserve of the moment. The exposed shoulder and the translucent complexion give the pictorial narrative an emotional and psychological dimension. The light, soft and blended, plays a fundamental role in the canvas, outlining the face and body of the young man with a delicacy that enhances the figure's three-dimensionality, creating a vibrant contrast with the dark background, echoing the Caravaggesque tradition.
The draperies, treated with fluidity in the folds of the fabric, reveal great brushwork skill in rendering the material, which harmoniously blends with the subject's body. The use of chiaroscuro is skillfully balanced, imparting elegance and intimacy to the entire scene.
The book, the central element of the composition, symbolizes both knowledge and devotion, through words and reading. The formal balance and the softness of the chromatic palette enhance a measured cross-over between sacred and profane genres, in the admirable visage of the depicted youth.

The painting was restored and cleaned in the last century.

It comes from a Roman private collection.

A more recent and polished frame is present as part of the work.

Dimensions: 63 cm x 52 cm.