Guercino's Friar with a Gold Earring: Fra Bonaventura Bisi, Painter and Art Dealer

This book explores the portrait of Fra Bonaventura Bisi, a Franciscan Minor Conventual friar, by Italian Baroque master Il Guercino and delves into his life as an art dealer, printmaker, and painter of miniatures. It also offers new scholarship on his extraordinary miniatures, his pursuit of artworks for high-ranking collectors, and his passion for promoting the appreciation and collecting of drawings.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 144 pages
Publication date: 16 October 2023
Publisher: Scala Arts & Heritage Publishers Ltd

The Enigmatic Man in the Portrait by Il Guercino: A Closer Look

In this captivating portrait by Italian Baroque master Il Guercino, a mysterious man is depicted wearing a religious habit and a striking gold hoop earring. Pointing to a stack of drawings, he adds an enigmatic element to the composition. This fascinating book delves into the identity of the man and the significance of his gestures.

The Ringlings portrait of Fra Bonaventura Bisi, a Franciscan Minor Conventual friar, is the focal point of this comprehensive investigation. Bisi's remarkable career as an art dealer, printmaker, and celebrated painter of miniatures positioned him as a significant figure in the artistic culture of 17th-century Bologna. Beautifully illustrated, this volume presents new scholarship on both Guercino's portrait and Bisi's life, encompassing his extraordinary miniatures, his relentless pursuit of artworks for high-ranking collectors, his passionate endeavors to promote the appreciation and collecting of drawings, and, perhaps most intriguingly, his unconventional gold hoop earring.

Published to accompany an upcoming exhibition of the same name at The Ringling (14 October 2023-07 January 2024), this book is the result of years of extensive research. It offers a captivating glimpse into the world of art-making and art collecting during the Baroque era in Italy. Through meticulous analysis and insightful interpretation, the book sheds light on the social, cultural, and artistic contexts of the time, providing a deeper understanding of the individuals and their contributions to the artistic landscape.

Whether you are an art enthusiast, historian, or simply curious about the complexities of the Baroque period, this book is a must-read. It offers a rich and immersive experience, transporting readers back to the vibrant artistic scene of 17th-century Italy. With its captivating illustrations, scholarly insights, and engaging narrative, it provides a valuable contribution to the field of art history and offers a fresh perspective on the enigmatic man depicted in Il Guercino's portrait.

Dimension: 279 x 241 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781785514159