This impressive and beautifully preserved portrait is a highpoint of Nicolas Régnier’s mature production, an artist who was among the most important foreign painters working in Italy during the 17th century.

Régnier’s artistic career can be divided into two distinct phases: the first in Rome, where he was a leading figure in the early Caravaggesque movement alongside Bartolomeo Manfredi, and the second, less known despite spanning forty years of his career, in Venice, where the present portrait was painted.

The sitter’s hieratic posture contrasts sharply with the profusion of decorative elements and rich colour effects. The artist meticulously rendered the intricate ribbons, buttons, lace, capturing the luminous quality of the jewellery and indulging in the painstakingly detailed depiction of the black and white lace on the amazing pink silk dress.

Beyond painting, Régnier was deeply involved in the Venetian art market, both as a dealer and collector. His legacy extended through his family, as all four of his daughters became painters, one of whom married the Venetian artist Pietro della Vecchia, further embedding Régnier’s influence in the artistic landscape of 17^th century Venice.