Antonio Ghidini and his family

Antonio Ghidini was a merchant trading in fabrics who became the official supplier of the Duke of Parma. He also worked with the Booths of Manchaster, who were specialised in fabrics production, as underlined in this painting by the presence of some documents placed on the bookcase at the back of the family. Proud of his happy family, Ghidini asked Pietro Melchiorre Ferrari, one of the best artists in the Duchy, to portray him and his family according to genre of “conversation pieces”, which was highly appreciated by the illuminated bourgeoisie of the time. Besides the quality of the subjects’ representation, the naturalness of their poses and the serene atmosphere of the entire painting, the preciousness of the clothes has to be noted as it represents an homage of the painter to the commissioner.