Portrait of Carlo Sormani

The noble Carlo Sormani (1751-1815), to whose death the Milanese poet Carlo Porta also mentions, in the sonnet "Ahi, cribbi cribbi, che mortalitaa", leaves the Ospedale Maggiore half a million lire. The portrait, commissioned from Giuseppe Legnani, has as its model the funeral mask made by family members; it does not excite, as does that of Giuseppe Pestagalli delivered at the same time, and there is speculation of having another painter execute a second version. But in the picture gallery this remains unquestionably signed "Legnani".