Self-Portrait in Profile
Drawing on paper • Attributed to Salvator Rosa (Italian, 1615–1673) or Circle
Style & Movement
Italian Baroque
Medium & Technique
Pen and brown ink with possible iron gall ink properties; hatching and cross-hatching technique
Creation Period
Mid-17th Century (circa 1640-1660)
Dimensions & Format
Approx. 15 x 12 cm; Portrait orientation
Subject Description
A spirited self-portrait or 'testa di carattere' depicting a man in profile facing left. The subject wears a distinctive tall, soft cap and a cloak. The composition is defined by rapid, nervous line work typical of the Neapolitan and Roman Baroque schools, emphasizing psychological intensity and the 'pittoresco' aesthetic.
Condition & Value Assessment
Condition Assessment
Poor; significant mechanical damage and surface degradation
Estimated Market Value
$1,500 - $3,500 USD (in current condition)
Auction Estimate
$800 - $1,200 USD
Provenance History
Unknown; lack of visible collector stamps or inscriptions suggests a private collection or long-term storage in a folio. Material aging is consistent with 17th-century European paper stocks.
Art Historical Significance
The work reflects the Baroque interest in physiognomy and the cult of the 'genius' artist. If confirmed as Salvator Rosa, it represents his characteristic 'wild' and rebellious public persona, which heavily influenced the 18th-century Romantic movement.
Notable Features
The 'penmanship' of the hatching is notably aggressive and confident, a hallmark of Rosa's graphic style. The profile view with a prominent nose and beard aligns with known authenticated self-portraits of the artist.
Condition Issues
Large jagged tear extending horizontally through the upper third of the sheet; significant loss of paper at the top right corner; foxing (brown spots); paper oxidation/yellowing due to acid content or light exposure; ink acidity causing slight etching into paper.
Conservation Recommendations
Requires immediate professional paper conservation: stabilization of the tear with Japanese tissue and wheat starch paste, deacidification bath, and archival mounting. Must be kept behind UV-filtering glass in a climate-controlled environment.