Cardinal Lelio Biscia

Biscia is shown in mid-action, his attention divided between paper and viewer, resulting in a sense of engagement and intimacy. Sacchi chose not to fully finish the painting, but its spontaneity is more contrived than at first appears. The degree of finish depended upon taste and a painting's function: this work would have appealed to connoisseurs. Sacchi kept it for his own collection of portraits of his patrons. His assistants likely produced a more finished version for the cardinal. A grid of lines is faintly visible across the surface: the grid would have helped a painter produce a copy. Biscia (1575-1638) served on the committee charged with completing St. Peter's, putting him in contact with the leading artists in Rome. Frame: carved wood, gilded and tooled. Italy (Emilia), 17th century.