Portrait of Francesco Beretta

Francesco Beretta (1834-1916), accountant, patriot and Garibaldi, with fortunate investments in the Stock Exchange increases his wealth. The work was commissioned from Arturo Ferrari, who added a glimpse of a Milanese view (the entrance to the Ambrosiana, overlooking the square then called Piazza della Rosa 2); approved by the Artistic Commission after the request of some retouches, it is harshly criticized by the widow, who asks for it to be redone, pointing out that her husband was not a visitor of the Ambrosiana, she never went out without a hat and that the accessories with which she is represented - straw hat , stick, tie, brooch, chain with pendant, ring, even haircut - do not represent her. The artist loses his hand again, correcting part of it, and finally the picture officially enters the Hospital Collections.