Portrait Of A Sicilian Nobleman In Armor With A Battle Scene, Second Half Of The 17th Century.

An interesting self-celebratory portrait painting from the second half of the 1600s, depicting a nobleman, presumed to be Silvestro Stazzone, Marquis of Bonfornello (information taken from a book on the Sicilian nobility), who participated in the defense of Vienna against the Turkish siege of 1683; thus, the painting would serve as evidence of a historically verified event.
Upon his return to Sicily, near the city of Enna, the nobleman wished to be portrayed in armor, with a depiction of his heroic feat in the background; in fact, we can see that the figure on horseback attacking the Turk is the same one depicted life-size.
The painting was therefore likely executed in Sicily during the last quarter of the 17th century.

The painting’s dimensions are 198 cm in height by 113 cm in width.

The painting is in good condition, having likely been restored between the 1970s and 1980s.

A certificate of authenticity is attached.