Agnese Dolci

(Florence 1659–1689)
Saint John,
oil on copper, 11.8 x 9 cm, framed

Provenance:
Private collection, Rome;
where acquired by the present owner

We are grateful to Francesca Baldassari for suggesting the attribution of the present painting after examination of the original.

Agnese Dolci was a woman painter at a time when female artists faced significant societal barriers. As the daughter and pupil of Carlo Dolci (1616–1686), she inherited her father’s meticulous Baroque style of painting and contributed to his artistic legacy. She refined and sometimes replicated his works, demonstrating exceptional technical skill in an era when women had limited access to formal training.

While few of her independent works are documented, the present work exhibits the same delicate realism and spiritual depth that defined Carlo Dolci’s work. Agnese’s role in maintaining and advancing her father’s artistic tradition highlights the often-overlooked contributions of women in Baroque art.