GORDIGIANI, Michele - b. 1830 Firenze, d. 1909 Firenze

Italian painter. He studied in Florence with Silvestro Lega under Luigi Mussini (1813-1888), and frequented the sculpture workshops of Bartolini and Dupré, after which he set up a portrait studio in the city. Elizabeth Barrett Browning and Robert Browning had their likenesses painted by him when they visited Florence.

Joining the Caffè Michelangiolo in 1855, he was invited to Paris in 1860 by his friend the Countess of Castiglione. Returning home, he painted portraits of Cavour and Victor Emmanuel II. Official portrait painter to the House of Savoy, he was extremely popular with international high society.

Portrait of Thomas Carlyle

A sense of sober austerity emanates from the face of the prominent Scottish philosopher and historian Thomas Carlyle (1795-1881), best known today for his study on The French Revolution (published 1837). The sitter’s white hair contrasts with the nearly black background, evoking reminiscences of contemporary photography in the manner of English photographer Margaret Cameron. An established portrait painter, Gordigiani at times shared his numerous commissions with his friend and fellow artist Giovanni Boldini.