Portrait of Gaetano Mantica

Gaetano Mantica (1829-1905), landowner, after a sober and modest life despite his wealthy conditions, nominated universal heir of his huge patrimony, consisting of buildings and land, the Ospedale Maggiore. The Hospital Council entrusts the portrait commission to Luigi Cavenaghi, who declines the assignment for lack of photographs of the benefactor. The painting is then executed by Giovanni Bagioli, who, in the absence of models to inspire himself, poses a person chosen by his family, very similar to the deceased. The undoubted merit of a painting in record time (three weeks) demanded by the Hospital because it wanted to display the picture in the imminent Festa del Perdono allows the painter, who was stuggling financially, to solicit other collections from the Quadreria.