Friedrich Overbeck, Vittoria Caldoni, 1821

Friedrich Overbeck (1789-1869)
Vittoria Caldoni, 1821
Oil on canvas, 89,5 x 65,8 cm
München, Bayerische Staatsgemäldesammlungen, Neue Pinakothek, Inv. Nr. WAF 757 (acquired from the artist by Crown Prince Ludwig in 1821 - since 1923 Wittelsbacher Ausgleichsfonds)

In the early 19th century, Rome attracted artists not only for its rich collections of antiquities and Renaissance masterpieces but also for its significance as the epicentre of the Catholic world. The group of artists known as the Nazarenes , based in Rome, sought to revive religious monumental painting. Portraits by painters such as Friedrich Overbeck (1789-1869) and Wilhelm von Schadow (1788-1862) often feature young women from Rome and the Campagna, who pose with an aura of sanctity. These models are portrayed as embodiments of purity, reminiscent of the Virgin Mary, and their appearance is influenced by Raphael's depictions of women. Raphael, alongside Dürer, was a major source of inspiration for these artists.

Vittoria Caldoni, hailing from a winegrowing family in Albano Laziale, gained remarkable fame as a model in Rome during the early 1820s. Her prominence in the art world was significantly bolstered by August Kestner (1777-1853), who served as the secretary to the legation of the Kingdom of Hanover from 1817 and was based at the Villa Malta. Kestner is credited with discovering Caldoni and helping to establish her reputation.

Overbeck portrays the young woman at the age of 15, as indicated by the inscription on the back of the canvas. She is depicted sitting with her head resting on her hand, in a contemplative pose atop a sack of grain. A sickle is placed on the ground in front of her, with crops visible in the background. These elements imbue the portrait with a significance that transcends a simple likeness, turning it into an allegory of fertility.