Portrait of Ermelinda Rosti Polli

Ermelinda Rosti Polli (1861-1931), widowed at a young age, took the reins of her husband Francesco pharmacy (1855-1905), at Carrobbio, waiting for her sons Ercole and Giovanni to take over, unfortunatly they both died around thirty years, due to tuberculosis. The will includes various legacies in favor of different charitable organizations, including one of 50,000 lire at the Maggiore Hospital, in memory of her husband, of which she also sends a "family" portrait by her brother-in-law Donato Bassani. The Hospital commissioned the portrait of the benefactor to Eugenio Marana, who created a painting with a neutral background outlined with oblique brushstrokes on which the female figure stands out with a beautiful realistic, smiling and expressive face.