Sir Anthony Van Dyck (Flemish, 1599-1641)

Portrait of Cardinal Domenico Rivarola (ca. 1623-1624)
Oil on Canvas
41 5/16 x 32 5/16 in

Van Dyck’s Portrait of Cardinal Domenico Rivarola, depicts a prominent and influential figure in the Vatican during the period of the artist’s sojourn in Italy.

The portrait reveals the penetrating, yet inscrutable, features of the powerful Cardinal. Typical of his portraits, Van Dyck paid careful attention to the luxurious details of the Cardinal’s silk and lace robes. Van Dyck scholar Dr. I. Burchard remarks that “the fine brilliant colouring of the red dress and white lacework, the expressive hand, eyes and mouth make this work a masterpiece of painting and portraiture.”

Apart from his mentor and instructor, Peter Paul Rubens (1577-1640), Sir Anthony Van Dyck is considered the greatest Flemish painter of the 17th century. In 1620, Van Dyck went to London, where he spent a few months in the service of James I (1566-1625). From 1620 to 1627 van Dyck traveled in Italy, where he was in great demand as a portraitist and where he developed the refined and elegant style which remained characteristic of his work for the rest of his life. His Portrait of Cardinal Domenico Rivarola is one of a great series of Baroque portraits of the Genoese aristocracy that established the ‘immortal’ type of nobleman, with proud mien and slender figure.

From 1632 until his death, Van Dyck lived in England, where he served as court painter to Charles I, who knighted the artist for his contributions. During these years he was occupied almost entirely with portraits. Van Dyck’s power as a portraitist is evident in that today we perceive Charles I and his court through the artist’s eyes.