A large half portrait of a gentleman by Michele Gordigiani (1835 – 1909).Michele Gordigiani (29 May 1835 – 7 October 1909) was an Italian painter, known best for his portraits. Gordigiani was born in Florence, the son of Luigi Gordigiani, a famous Florentine musician. He studied in Florence under Luigi Mussini (1813-1888).Gordigiani was in much demand as a portrait painter; among his subjects were King Vittorio Emanuele II, his daughter-in-law Queen Margherita, and the Count of Cavour. In 1867 in London, he painted portraits of Queen Victoria, and her consort, Prince Albert. He also painted portraits Elizabeth and her husband Robert Browning, now in the National Portrait Gallery. In London, he participated at the exhibition of the Royal Society of Arts.This sitter of this portrait is unknown but clearly of high society, wearing a fine black suit and bow tie. The work is signed in red to the top right and inscribed in pencil to the stretcher verso. There is a small puncture ...