Jacop Vignali (Italian, 1592-1664)
Portrait of a young girl

oil on canvas

Dimensions: 50 x 42 cm. (19 1/2 x 16 1/2 in.)

Anonymous sale; Christie's, London, 3 November 2000, lot 50.
Private Collection, UK

Literature:
F. Baldassari, La pittura del seicento a Firenze, Turin, 2009, p. 710.

Exhibited:
London, Royal Academy, and Cambridge, Fitzwilliam Museum, Painting in Florence, 1600-1700, 20 January-28 March 1979, no. 34.

Vignali was born in Pratovecchio and trained under Matteo Rosselli, entering his studio at the young age of thirteen circa 1605. In 1616 the artist entered the Accademia del Disegno in Florence. His style evolved following Rosselli's influence, and his works can be distinguished by the dramatic depiction of contrasting light, and a poetic depiction of his subjects. Here he delicately depicts a young girl in a state of reflection or contemplation, highlighting her youth but capturing the glow of her skin and crimson hair tie. The present work is a perfect example of the artist's lyricism and sensitivity.