Saint Francis Borgia

Oil painting on canvas, attributed to Marco Antonio Bassetti (Verona 1586-1630) depicting a bearded man holding a book. "A pupil of Felice Ricci (Verona 1539-1605), he moved to Venice where he was influenced by the works of Tintoretto, Veronesi and Jacopo Bassano. He went to Rome around 1615 and there he became acquainted with the paintings of Caravaggio. Upon returning to Venice, he declined the influences of Bassano and Rome and had an appreciation only for Venetian painting, especially for naturists. He orbited within the sphere of monasteries and convents (1628). During this period, his most valuable works were portraits in which, in the opinion of Longhi (1959), he was of a Rembrandtian value and dignity, such that he could compete with Hals and Velazquez. He died of the plague in Verona. The revaluation of Bassetti is largely due to Longhi." STUDIO ASOR