Claudio Ridolfi

(Italian, 1570-1644)

Portrait of Prince Federico Ubaldo della Rovere

oil on paper

Please note this lot will be on view at Freeman's | Hindman Manhattan galleries, located at 32 E. 67th St, from October 20th to November 1st (10am-5pm).

15 x 10 5/8 in. (38 x 27cm)

Property from a Private Collection

This lot is located in New York.

Lot Essay:

This rare and charming portrait depicts Federico Ubaldo della Rovere, the only son and heir of Francesco Maria II, Duke of Urbino. Born on May 16, 1605, Federico was raised in the splendor of the court, enjoying music, theater, and courtly life. At sixteen, he married Claudia de’ Medici, daughter of the Grand Duke of Tuscany. Around this time, his father effectively abdicated, handing him the reins of the Duchy.

Tragically, Federico died under mysterious circumstances just two years later, marking the end of the independent Duchy of Urbino, which then passed to the Papal States.

Claudio Ridolfi was a Venetian-trained painter who settled in Urbino by 1590. Though primarily known for religious works, Ridolfi produced several portraits at the della Rovere court, including at least three of Federico. This particular study, executed in oil on paper and likely a preparatory work for a formal portrait, displays the luminous palette and dynamic brushwork reminiscent of Federico Barocci. The life-like expression and vibrant rendering of the young boy reflect Ridolfi’s skill and the artistic influence of Barocci, who pioneered the use of oil sketches on paper.