Giacomo Francia

This rediscovered Cleopatra can be securely placed in the oeuvre of Giacomo Francia who trained in the Bolognese workshop of his father Francesco. With his brother Giulio, he took over the running of the very successful workshop on their father's death in 1517. Giacomo often reworked his father's compositions, adapting them to more contemporary Raphaelesque models, but in the present painting his own individual style is recognizable. From a compositional viewpoint, Giacomo may have been inspired by a Cleopatra by his father Francesco which today resides in the York Art Gallery (inv. no. YORAG 735). In its atmospheric landscape, the painting also shows the influence of Ferrarese prototypes by leading artists of the previous generation, namely Lorenzo Costa, to whom this work was traditionally ascribed by family lore.

We are grateful to Dott. Emilio Negro and Dottssa. Nicosetta Roio, and Keith Christiansen for independently endorsing the attribution to Giacomo Francia on the basis of photographs and first-hand inspection.