Ciro Leone founded the Galleria Leone in Naples’ historic centre, close to the Museo Nazionale, in 1971; he had been working with his father as an antiques dealer since he was very young. A decade later, the Gallery moved to Via Cappella Vecchia, in the historic Palazzo Sessa, acquiring success in other spheres, as well, thanks to the competence Ciro had gained in furniture, objects and paintings from the 16th to the 18th century. Carmine and Raffaele, Ciro’s sons, take part in the running of the gallery, constantly looking for rare and unique pieces and maintaining relationships with national and international clients; as a result, the Gallery is now a regular for esteemed collectors, dealers and notable auction houses. The initial specialisation in fine Italian and European furniture was then enriched by the one in rare decorative objects, semi-precious stones, period porcelain, old master paintings and drawings, thanks to the opening of two further galleries in 13, Via Domenico Morelli and 86, Via Carlo Poerio.
In the present portrait, that can be dated between 1635 and 1640, the soft nuance of the complexion and the description of the lace collar are strikingly similar to the full-length portrait of Cardinal Francesco Peretti, painted by Ippolito Leoni around 1642.
Work nearly identical to the one housed in Palazzo Pitti (Florence), made in 1848 and replicated at least four times.
The present drawing is similar for the setting of the scene to the work published at page XVII of the book "Gemito" by Salvatore Di Giacomo,1988; formerly Minozzi collection.
