Portrait of a Young Italian Aristocratic Boy c.1630; Circle of Tiberio di Tito.

Oil on canvas in a slim gilt modern frame.

This utterly charming portrait of a little boy standing in the 'swagger' pose of a powerful adult has great appeal.
The young aristocrat is dressed in incredibly costly clothing, this, plus the fact of his being painted at such a young age, points to him being the heir to a very wealthy and important family.
In his clothing, pose and the velvet draped background he is depicted in exactly the same manner as would have been an important adult.

This portrait was selected by John Fowler, of Colefax and Fowler, in the 1950s, for the drawing room at Hambleden Manor, home of the Viscountess Hambleden.
It hung there until this year when the countess moved to a smaller property on the estate.
The decoration and furnishing of Hambleden Manor is regarded as one of Fowler's earliest major achievements.
(Image 7 shows the Manor and image 8 this portrait in situ.)


TIBERIO DI TITO (1573–1627) was an Italian painter, born in Florence. He was the son and pupil of the late-Mannerist painter Santi di Tito. He specialized in portrait painting, including small pencil portraits.
As one of the official portraitists at the Medici Court, he was much employed by Cardinal Leopoldo de' Medici.

SIZE:46.25 x 36.75 inches inc. frame.
PROVENANCE: Viscountess Hambleden, Hambleden Manor.