Who painted Pharoah's Daughter, after Palma il Giovane?

Pharoah's Daughter, after Palma il Giovane was painted by Giovanni Antonio Guardi in 1739.

Where can I see Pharoah's Daughter, after Palma il Giovane?

Pharoah's Daughter, after Palma il Giovane is held by Fitzwilliam Museum.

Artwork

Pharoah's Daughter, after Palma il Giovane

Pharoah's Daughter, after Palma il Giovane is an oil painting by Giovanni Antonio Guardi. It dates from 1739 and is held in the collection of the Fitzwilliam Museum.

About this work

Overview

Giovanni Antonio Guardi’s oil painting, dated around 1739, presents a solitary female figure rendered in a half‑length portrait.

Giovanni Antonio Guardi’s oil painting, dated around 1739, presents a solitary female figure rendered in a half‑length portrait. The work, executed after a composition by Palma il Giovane, now belongs to the collection of the Fitzwilliam Museum. Its composition focuses on the sitter’s face and upper torso, set against a deep, shadowed backdrop that emphasizes the luminous details of her attire and accessories.

Subject & Meaning

The portrait shows a woman dressed in a richly ornamented, dark gown accented with a golden brooch and a delicate crown. Her head is inclined slightly to the right, and her expression is rendered with careful naturalism, suggesting both status and introspection. The regal headpiece and sumptuous fabric imply a figure of high rank, possibly an allegorical or historical representation of a pharaoh’s daughter.

Technique & Style

Guardi employs chiaroscuro to create a stark contrast between the illuminated figure and the surrounding darkness, directing attention to the sitter’s face and sumptuous costume. The brushwork in the fabric reveals intricate patterns and fine detailing, while the facial features are painted with a realistic, almost tactile precision. The overall effect combines Baroque drama with a refined, Venetian sensibility inherited from Palma il Giovane’s influence.

History & Provenance

Created circa 1739, the painting reflects Guardi’s practice of reinterpreting earlier Venetian masters. It entered the Fitzwilliam Museum’s holdings through acquisition in the early twentieth century, though earlier ownership records remain sparse. The work’s attribution to Guardi and its reference to Palma il Giovane have been confirmed through stylistic analysis and museum documentation.

Artist & collection

Artist

Giovanni Antonio Guardi

Giovanni Antonio Guardi, also known as Gianantonio Guardi, was an Italian painter and nobleman. Guardi was one of the founders of the Venetian Academy in 1756.