Portrait of Giacomo Puccini with Glasses and Mustache, signed Oreste Bernardini. Circa 1900.

Man with Glasses and Mustache, signed Bernardini

Years: 1890-1900

Technique: Oil on cardboard

Dimensions: Without frame H 58 cm x W 43 cm; with frame H 80 cm x W 65 cm

Signature: Signed at the lower right in red letters Bernardini

Italian school, late 19th century

This male portrait may depict Giacomo Puccini (1858-1924), the renowned Italian composer. The man, portrayed in half-length, wears a dark overcoat with a high collar, a wide-brimmed hat, and round glasses, all features typical of Puccini’s attire during the 1890s-1900s. The thin mustache and the serene yet lively expression add further detail that resembles the composer as seen in some photographs from that period.

The composition is characterized by simple elegance, with a subdued, wintery palette harmonizing the neutral background with the subject’s clothing. The materiality of the painting and the essential details suggest a realistic approach, distancing itself from the avant-garde movements of the late 19th century, yet maintaining a modern and personal language.

Beautiful solid wood frame, coeval, from the late 19th century.

Condition Notes: Small irregularities are visible along the edges of the cardboard. The wooden frame is solid and well-preserved.

Hypothesis: The subject of this portrait bears significant similarities to Giacomo Puccini, as evident in photographs of the composer from the 1890s to 1900s, where he is seen wearing similar hats and overcoats. While there is no definitive evidence identifying this work as a portrait of Puccini, the temporal coincidence and stylistic details make this hypothesis plausible.