136 - Francesco NOLETTI, known as IL MALTESE (1611–1654), attributed to

Francesco NOLETTI, known as IL MALTESE (1611–1654), attributed to Still Life with Parrots Oil on canvas H_49 cm W_36 cm Features a red Maltese cross on the belly of one of the parrots, in the lower left corner. Annotation “Maltese” on the reverse. A wax seal on the reverse depicting princely arms. This intriguing still life with parrots is notable for bearing a signature in the form of a symbol. In this case, it is a red Maltese cross, discreetly incorporated into the parrot’s plumage on the left side of the composition. We propose identifying this painting as a work attributed to Francesco Noletti, nicknamed “Il Maltese.” A native of Valletta, on the island of Malta, Francesco Noletti settled in Rome around 1636–1640, where he became one of the leading figures in 17th-century Italian still life painting. The presence of this Maltese cross, which directly references the artist’s origins, could thus constitute an original symbolic signature deliberately concealed within the composition. Expert: ARTEON