Italian school; XVII century. "Portrait of a gentleman". Oil on canvas. Relined. Presents restorations, polychrome losses and a perforation in the right corner. Measurements: 95 x 75 cm. In this portrait the author proposes us the view of a character that is distinguished by his elegant clothes, wearing a gola, cape, puffed sleeves, vest and an ornamented belt. The artist conceives the portrait through a long bust, and on a neutral and dark background that provokes a great exaltation of his presence due to his vividly illuminated face. In fact, the studied lighting, of tenebrist influence, is the main expressive resource used by the painter, it is a focus light, directed and artificial, which enters the composition from the front and directly affects the main area of the image, the face of the character, creating a great clarity in the face and clothing of the character, modeling his facial features and his anatomical volumes with great naturalism, but certainly idealized, since the soft and rounded forms predominate. It is noteworthy, the gesture that the protagonist adopts with the body, as it seems to turn in a completely spontaneous way. This feature brings a great closeness to the viewer, as the portrayed seems to respond to an appeal from the observer. In short, a very intelligent resource, used by the artist, with the intention of establishing a close relationship between his work and the viewer. During the seventeenth century, as in the rest of Europe, the portrait became the genre that was acquiring more prominence due to the excellence of Italian painting, as a result of the new social structures that were implemented in the Western world throughout this century, embodying the ultimate expression of the transformation of taste and mentality of the new clientele, emerged between the nobility and the wealthy bourgeoisie, who would take the reins of history in this period. While official circles gave preponderance to other artistic genres, such as history painting, and the incipient collecting encouraged the profusion of costume paintings, portraiture monopolized the demand for painting destined for the more private sphere, as a reflection of the value of the individual in the new society. This genre embodies the permanent presence of the image of its protagonists, to be enjoyed in the intimacy of a studio, in the daily warmth of a family cabinet or presiding over the main rooms of the house. Dimensions 95 x 75 cm.