FRANCESCO BALLESIO (Turin, 1860-Tivoli, 1923) Lot n° 35

THE YOUNG PAINTER AND THE CARDINALS Rome Watercolour and gouache highlights on paper Signed and located lower left 73.5 x 62.5 cm (at sight) Taking place in a refined 18th century Roman interior, two cardinals examine the canvas of a young painter. Illustrating the role of the Church as a patron of Italian artists, this painting belongs to a series of works featuring members of the College of Cardinals. A Lombard painter who studied at the Accademia Albertina in Turin, Ballesio made his career in Rome and was particularly famous for his orientalist paintings.