16th Century Portrait of a Man in a Ruff P2910

A handsome and venerable oil on board, full of character. Recently expertly restored. Canvas over board.

There is a layer of mystery added to its charm by the inscription, SCIARRA SPINELLO. Both words are family names, and we can find no trace of them combined to give us any clues to the man's identity. Sciarra has several meanings: nickname for a quarrelsome or litigious person, from Sicilian, Calabrian sciarra 'quarrel', 'dispute', 'lawsuit'. habitational name from Sciarra in Palermo province, Sicily, named with a word denoting a volcanic area. And Spinello is derived from a thorn bush. No figure of the period with either of those names shows up on line. We are left with his presence, which is powerful indeed.

Measures 23" x 29", frame 32 1/2" x 38 1/2".

Pick up at warehouse or contact us to arrange special shipping.