GIUSEPPE MOLTENI Affori, 1800 - Milan, 1867 Madonna Signed G Molteni f and dated 1850 lower left Oil on paper applied to canvas, 36X28.5 cm Provenance: Italy, private collection Having enrolled at the Brera Academy of Fine Arts in 1815, Molteni had to interrupt his course of studies due to financial straits, undertaking the activity of restorer and later devoting himself to the antiques trade. His Milanese studio, full of works of art, objects and curiosities, became a meeting point for connoisseurs, museum directors, collectors, critics and artists from all over Europe. Here, paintings were evaluated, attributions were made and restorations were carried out. Frequent visitors to the atelier included Sir Charles Eastlake, travel agent and later director of the National Gallery in London, and the famous Otto Mundler. In the meantime, Molteni continued to paint, receiving praise from Maria Luigia of Austria, who in 1829 named him an Honorary Academician, in 1831 a knight and in 1833 awarded him the cross of the Constantinian Order of Parma. Thanks to his mediation, in 1836 he was commissioned to paint the Portrait of Emperor Ferdinand I of Austria (Milan, Academy of Fine Arts). Molteni is considered, together with Hayez, to be one of the most highly regarded portrait painters of his time. Reference bibliography: F Mazzocca, LM Galli Michero, P Segramora Rivolta, Giuseppe Molteni (1800-1867) e il ritratto nella Milano romantica. Pittura, collezionismo, restauro e tutela. Milan 2000, ad vocem