Portrait of Giovan Battista Cogliati

Giovanni Battista Cogliati (1774-1847), owner of a "prestino" shop in the Milanese Via Molino delle Armi, baker for the Ospedale Maggiore, appoints it heir to his estate after having served in it throughout his life, asking that the sum sufficient for the creation of a canopy over the high altar is given to the parish church of Santo Stefano in Milan. The painting is commissioned from Roberto Focosi, an artist suggested to the hospital administration by Giuseppe Sogni, who was already actively working for the Picture Gallery.