Art Catalogue - Ippolito Scarsella
Ippolito Scarsella, known as Scarsellino (Ferrara, 1551–1620) Idealized Portrait of Virginia de’ Medici as Juno Pronuba This newly designed catalogue, first published in 2019, showcases Scarsellino’s masterful portrait of Virginia de’ Medici as Juno Pronuba. Combining scholarly analysis, high-quality images, and detailed provenance, it sets a benchmark for best practices in art documentation.
Ippolito Scarsella, known as Scarsellino (Ferrara, 1551–1620)
Idealized Portrait of Virginia de’ Medici as Juno Pronuba
This newly designed catalogue, first published in 2019, showcases Scarsellino’s masterful portrait of Virginia de’ Medici as Juno Pronuba.
Combining scholarly analysis, high-quality images, and detailed provenance, it sets a benchmark for best practices in art documentation.
- TAGS
- ippolito scarsella
- scarsellino
- virginia de’ medici
- juno pronuba
- ferrara painting
- late renaissance
- mannerism
- 16th century art
- mythological portrait
- female portrait
- art catalogue
- art collectors
- art historians
- museum professionals
- old masters
- gallerie estensi
- national gallery of victoria
- sotheby’s
- dorotheum
- bertolamifineart
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Exp.439-E 2019/2025
Exp.439-E 2019/2025
Exp.439-E 2019/2025
ARTIST Ippolito Scarsella, known as Scarsellino (Ferrara, 1551–1620)
TITLE Idealized Portrait of Virginia de’ Medici as Juno Pronuba
DATE 1591-1593
MEDIUM
DIMENSIONS
Oil on canvas (relined)
135 x 76 cm (canvas); 161.5 x 105 cm (frame)
VALUATION
€40,000–45,000 (subject to significant revaluation after restoration)
PROVENANCE
CONDITION &
REMARKS
NOTES
DOCUMENTED: formerly Menaguale Gallery, Verona (see Fondazione Zeri record).
PROBABLE: commissioned by Cesare d’Este (1561–1628), Duke of Ferrara (until 1597), Modena
and Reggio, for the Chamber of Virginia de’ Medici in the Palazzo dei Diamanti, Ferrara.
The painting has been relined and displays extensive retouching, especially in the
background. The work, of notable interest for its stylistic and technical qualities, would
benefit from careful and thorough restoration, which would enhance its appreciation and
value.
The artwork is registered under no. 56487 in the Zeri Photo Archive as attributed to
Scarsellino, based on Federico Zeri’s reasoned attribution, which also notes its provenance
(prior to 1998) from the aforementioned Verona gallery.
The technical data (canvas, 134 x 76 cm) and the comparative photograph (inv. no. 116781)
attached, together with two records from the Fondazione Zeri, confirm the full
correspondence with the painting under evaluation, including its current state of surface
conservation. On the reverse of the original photograph is the anonymous note “after
cleaning”, likely referring to a restoration likely dating to the 1970s.
The subject is rare from an iconographic standpoint, especially as an isolated figure, and is
also original in its composition: the goddess embraces the peacock as Jupiter does the eagle.
Thematically and culturally, the painting is closely related to works produced between 1591
and 1593 by Annibale, Agostino, and Ludovico Carracci, as well as by Scarsellino himself, for
the Chamber of Virginia de’ Medici and the Camera del Poggiolo in the Palazzo dei Diamanti,
Ferrara. This supports the proposed dating and provenance.
This hypothesis supports the interpretation that identifies Virginia de’ Medici, wife of Cesare
d’Este, patron of the palace and the pictorial cycle, as the model for the features of Juno
Pronuba, the goddess protector of brides. Further iconographic comparisons with three
official portraits of Virginia de’ Medici, listed in the catalogue, confirm this reading.
ADDITIONAL NOTES
In August 2019, the painting was reported to the Carabinieri Command for the Protection of
Cultural Heritage prior to its sale.
In November 2019, it was auctioned at Bertolami in Rome as part of Auction 70: Paintings,
Drawings, and Sculptures from the 14th to the 19th Century, Lot 131, Ippolito Scarsella, detto
lo Scarsellino – Giunone; Link).
The painting was sold for €18,000 plus buyer’s premium, for a final cost of approximately €23,000.
IppolitoScarsela,IdealizedPortraitofVirginiade’MediciasJunoPronuba;
1591–1593;oiloncanvas,161.5x105cm.
Comparisonwith:ZeriPhotographicArchive,inv.no.:116781;
IppolitoScarsela,Juno;silvergelatinprintonbarytapaper,23.9x17.9cm.
02
01
03
COMPARISON WITH THESERIESOFPORTRAITSOFVIRGINIADE’MEDICI:
GiovanniMariaButeri(1540–1606),oilonpanel,68x51cm; 01
Dorotheum Vienna,auction19.04.2016,lot20.
GiovanniMariaButeri(1540–1606),oilonpanel,46.3x35cm; 02
Baltimore(USA),eWaltersArtMuseum.
WorkshopofAlesandroAlori;ca.1570,oilonpanel,66.5x61.2cm; 03
Sotheby’sNY,auction26.01.2017,lot120.
01(102x127cm)
03(110x130cm)
04(110x130cm)
06(90x110cm)
08(109x13,5cm)
02(110x130cm)
05(110x130cm)
07(90x110cm)
ARTWORKSPRODUCED FORTHEPALAZZO DEIDIAMANTIIN FERRARA
IppolitoScarsela,ApoloasMusician –Modena,GaleriaEstense 01
LudovicoCaracci,Flora–Modena,GaleriaEstense 02
AnnibaleCaracci,Venus& Cupid–Modena,GaleriaEstense 03
LudovicoCaracci,GalateaorSalacia–Modena,GaleriaEstense 04
AgostinoCaracci,Pluto–Modena,GaleriaEstense 05
GaspareVenturini,eGeniusofAfrica–Modena,GaleriaEstense 06
IppolitoScarsela,Fame–Modena,GaleriaEstense 0707
AnnibaleCaracci,Pan–Melbourne,NationalGaleryofVictoria 08
IdealizedPortraitofVirginiade’MediciasJunoPronuba;detail.
IdealizedPortraitofVirginiade’MediciasJunoPronuba;thePeacock,detail.
IdealizedPortraitofVirginiade’MediciasJunoPronuba;detail.
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