Villamena Collection

Portrait of Galileo Galilei, 1623 (engraving)
986329 Portrait of Galileo Galilei, 1623 (engraving) by Villamena, Francesco (1566-1624); Private Collection; (add.info.: Portrait of Galileo Galilei)

Portrait of Galileo Galilei, 1613. Creator: Francesco Villamena
Portrait of Galileo Galilei, 1613

Portrait of Cardinal Christopher Clavius, 1606. Creator: Francesco Villamena
Portrait of Cardinal Christopher Clavius, 1606

The Descent from the Cross, 1606. Creator: Francesco Villamena
The Descent from the Cross, 1606

Cardinal Roberto Bellarmino at his desk, writing, 1604. Creator: Francesco Villamena
Cardinal Roberto Bellarmino at his desk, writing, 1604

The rest on the flight into Egypt, 1597. Creator: Francesco Villamena
The rest on the flight into Egypt, 1597

Portrait of Ioannes Altus (Johann Alten), of the Swiss Guard, standing by the Quirinal and pointing out the antiquities of Rome, 1623

Giovanni Alto (Johann Alten, Ioannes Altus) standing on the Quirinal Hill in Rome, with his right arm outstretched in a pointing position and a snake coiled around his foot and sword, 1613

Geminiano Caldarostaro crying out and holding a tub, with a tasseled hat, ca. 1597-1601

Speculum Romanae Magnificentiae: Farnese Palace, 16th century. 16th century
Speculum Romanae Magnificentiae: Farnese Palace, 16th century

Christ baptism La Sacra Genesi Villamena Francesco
Christs baptism, La Sacra Genesi, Villamena, Francesco, 1626

Swiss 17th Century after Francesco Villamena, Giovanni Grosso of the Swiss Guards Standing before a View of Rome, watercolor over black ink on laid paper

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Francesco Villamena, an Italian artist from the late 16th to early 17th century, left behind a rich legacy of captivating portraits and religious artworks. His engravings skillfully captured the essence of his subjects, bringing them to life on paper. One such masterpiece is the portrait of Galileo Galilei in 1623. Through intricate details and delicate lines, Villamena immortalized this renowned astronomer and mathematician, showcasing his intelligence and curiosity that would forever change our understanding of the universe. In another portrait from 1613, Villamena portrayed Galileo once again. This time, he depicted him with even more depth and character, capturing not just his physical appearance but also hinting at the profound ideas brewing within his brilliant mind. Villamena's talent extended beyond portraiture as seen in "The Descent from the Cross" created in 1606. In this powerful artwork, he masterfully conveyed raw emotions through each stroke of his engraving tool. The agony and grief felt by those witnessing Christ's crucifixion were palpable on their faces. Cardinal Christopher Clavius was also fortunate enough to have been immortalized by Villamena in a portrait dating back to 1606. With meticulous attention to detail, every line seemed to tell a story about this influential figure who made significant contributions to mathematics and astronomy during the Renaissance period. Another notable work is "Cardinal Roberto Bellarmino at his desk, " completed in 1604. Here we see Bellarmino engrossed in writing - perhaps penning words that would shape history or defend important theological doctrines. Villamena expertly captured both Bellarmino's intellectual prowess and dedication through this engraving. Religious themes were prevalent throughout Villamena's body of work as demonstrated by "The rest on the flight into Egypt" from 1597.