Who painted Sebastiano Ricci?

Sebastiano Ricci was painted by Pier Antonio Pazzi in 1736.

Where can I see Sebastiano Ricci?

Sebastiano Ricci is held by National Gallery of Art.

What movement is Sebastiano Ricci?

Sebastiano Ricci is associated with Baroque.

Artwork

Sebastiano Ricci

Pier Antonio Pazzi , 1736

Sebastiano Ricci is an ink print by the Baroque artist Pier Antonio Pazzi. It dates from 1736 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.

About this work

Overview

This black-and-white print is an engraving by Pier Antonio Pazzi, made in 1736. It depicts the Italian painter Sebastiano Ricci, rendered in fine linear detail on laid paper. Unlike a painting, the image was produced by incising lines into a metal plate, then inking and pressing it onto paper. The composition is restrained, emphasizing the subject’s likeness without decorative elements.

Subject & Meaning

The portrait captures Sebastiano Ricci, a prominent Venetian painter of the early 18th century, in a composed, introspective pose.

The portrait captures Sebastiano Ricci, a prominent Venetian painter of the early 18th century, in a composed, introspective pose. His right hand rests gently on his chest, suggesting contemplation or quiet dignity. The inscription identifies him as 'Pittore,' affirming his professional identity. The absence of symbols or context directs attention to his character and status as an artist, not a noble or religious figure.

Technique & Style

Pazzi employed the engraving technique, using a burin to carve precise lines into a copper plate. The texture of Ricci’s curly white hair and the folds of his ruffled collar are rendered with delicate, controlled strokes. The plain background isolates the figure, enhancing clarity. The monochrome palette and fine detail reflect the printmaking conventions of the period, prioritizing accuracy over dramatic effect.

History & Provenance

Created in 1736, the engraving likely served to disseminate Ricci’s image among artists and patrons, a common practice for honoring established figures. Pazzi, a Florentine engraver, was known for reproducing portraits of cultural figures. While the print’s early ownership is undocumented, its survival suggests it was valued within artistic circles as a record of Ricci’s presence in the visual culture of his time.

Context

In early 18th-century Italy, engraved portraits were vital for circulating likenesses before photography. Ricci, celebrated for his decorative style and frescoes, was part of a generation bridging Baroque grandeur and emerging Rococo elegance. Pazzi’s portrait aligns with a trend of honoring artists through print, reinforcing their legacy beyond their paintings and into the broader intellectual sphere.

Legacy

The engraving remains a primary visual record of Sebastiano Ricci’s appearance, used in later biographies and scholarly works. It exemplifies how printmaking preserved the identities of artists in an era when photographic reproduction did not exist. Though not widely exhibited today, it continues to inform historical understanding of Ricci’s persona and the role of portraiture in artistic commemoration.