A Philosopher
by PETRINI, Giuseppe Antonio, Oil on canvas, 11 x 95 cm
Several series of half-figure idealised portraits by Petrini is known. They depict philosophers, astronomers, mathematicians, evangelists and personifications of seasons. His portraits of philosophers are in the tradition of Jusepe de Ribera and the young Luca Giordano. However, his use of form and colour moved away from Neapolitan Caravaggism of the seventeenth century and in these portraits Venetian influences can be detected.