Portrait of an aristocratic child c.1640; Circle of Francesco Fieravino, Il Maltese.

A good quality oil on canvas of a young girl, clearly from a noble family, with her pet dog.
The painting has a very rich, jewelled quality which gives it a great sense of theatre.

The child's clothing and jewellery are incredibly rich and costly - a strong statement of the power and prestige of her family. She stands close to a basket of flowers and holds one in her hand; a rose, symbol of love, purity and beauty but also a reminder of the rapid passing of time...flowers soon fade and die.
The portrait is probably an 'announcement' for her availability for marriage; at this time marriages were about linking powerful families and were often arranged years ahead of the actual event.

The dog is a Maltese Terrier, which was a fashionable lapdog for ladies at the time (contemporary reports describe with some implied criticism that they even allowed them to sleep in their beds!) although it may also represent loyalty and trust.

FRANCESCO FIRAVINO (circa 1610-1670) was a Maltese painter in the baroque style. He was, and remains, popularly known as "il Maltese", after the place of his birth.
His pictures represent objects faithfully, by a large and vigorous handling. The colouration of his work is bold and striking and he excelled in rendering drapery. His pictures can be found in Munich, London and Malta.

SIZE: 54 x 42 inches inc. giltwood frame.
PROVENANCE: Continental Private Collection